Linklaters senior corporate partner Charlie Jacobs has joined FTSE 100 mining company Fresnillo as an independent non-executive director.

In a rare move for a full-time private practice lawyer, Jacobs (pictured) will join the company following its annual general meeting in May, replacing current senior independent non-executive Lord Cairns.

He will remain a full-time partner at Linklaters.

Fresnillo said Jacobs will also replace Cairns as chairman of the company's remuneration committee. Cairns held both roles for six years.

The time commitment of the non-exec role at Fresnillo is relatively light, with the dual Mexico and London-headquartered firm holding just four scheduled board meetings a year.

However, Jacobs – formerly Linklaters' lead partner for Fresnillo – will no longer act as a legal adviser to the company.

London corporate partner Iain Wagstaff, who worked with Jacobs on Fresnillo's London listing in 2008, will continue to lead the magic circle firm's relationship with the company.

In a statement, Fresnillo called Jacobs "one of the UK's lead corporate lawyers", and singled out his "extensive experience and knowledge in the mining sector" alongside his experience of advising companies on boardroom matters, corporate governance and other legal and regulatory requirements.

Jacobs told Legal Week: "I have spent a lot of my career advising boards, so when I was approached I thought it would be a valuable opportunity to get some experience from the other side, ie as a board member, and my legal background will hopefully be useful to the board I am joining."

"Typically, lawyers have not been as welcome on UK plc boards as they have been in the North American market, and it has probably been a disappointment to our profession that there have not been more lawyers, whether practising or retired, sitting as directors on major corporates."

He added: "I wouldn't be surprised if over the next five years we do not see more commercial lawyers appearing on the boards of FTSE companies."

Fresnillo chairman Alberto Bailleres said: "I should like to take this opportunity to thank Lord Cairns for his significant contribution to the board over the past six years.

"As much as I will miss the advice and support of the departing directors, I am pleased to have three new high calibre independent non-executive directors joining the company's board, namely Ms Barbara Garza Laguera, Mr Jaime Serra Puche and Mr Charles Jacobs."