Linklaters has appointed Marc Harvey as its new managing partner for Asia from 1 February 2014.

Harvey, who currently heads Linklaters' greater China and global litigation and arbitration practices, will also join the firm's executive committee.

He replaces Stuart Salt, who has come to the end of his four-year term in the role.

After training at Linklaters' London and Tokyo offices, Harvey was briefly seconded to Morgan Stanley in 1996, before making partner in 2000.

He has been based in Hong Kong since 1997, and is jointly qualified to practice in the region and England & Wales.

"I am looking forward to ensuring that the firm continues to make the most of the unique opportunities that Asia presents," said Harvey in a statement.

"Marc's deep knowledge of the region, together with his successful completion of terms as head of greater China and global practice head of litigation & arbitration make him ideally suited for this senior leadership role," added the magic circle firm's managing partner Simon Davies.

"I have absolute confidence that in Asia we will go from strength to strength under his leadership."

Salt will return to full-time practice after the completion of his four-year term and take over as global projects head from partner Bruce White, who also finishes his term in early 2014.

The outgoing Asia managing partner said his own tenure had "been a fantastic four years", and praised Harvey as "one of our truly great partners with enormous experience in Asia".

Salt originally replaced rainmaker Zili Shao in 2010, who announced in November 2009 he was leaving the firm after less than a year in the job to become chairman and CEO of JP Morgan's China business.