Hogan Lovells has appointed London partner Tom Whelan as global co-head of private equity, taking over from Alan Greenough, who will retire from the firm next year.

Whelan will take up the role on 1 January and work alongside current co-head Jeffrey Hurlburt.

Whelan regularly advises private equity institutions, management, general corporates and banks on UK and international investments, M&A, disposals and restructurings. He recently advised the shareholders of Bond Aviation Group on the €300m sale of the group to KKR.

Greenough has been a partner at Hogan Lovells since 2006, specialising in private equity, M&A, joint ventures and restructurings.

Whelan said: "Alan has been instrumental in developing our highly regarded and successful private equity practice, both in London and globally, and our relationships with some of the firm's key clients. We have a genuinely global private equity capability few competitors can match, with critical mass in the UK, Continental Europe, U.S., Middle East, Asia and an established presence in Latin America, and I am looking forward to working with Jeff to develop this further."

Earlier this week Hogan Lovells confirmed litigation partner Steve Immelt as its new chief executive following a partner vote. Immelt will take over from current co-CEOs Warren Gorrell and David Harris on 1 July 2014 and be supported by London finance partner David Hudd as his deputy.