Hogan Lovells has appointed litigation partner Crispin Rapinet (pictured) as co-head of its investigations, white collar and fraud group (IWCF) following the retirement of Jeremy Cole.

Cole is stepping down from the partnership tomorrow (30 April) after more than 30 years at Hogan Lovells. He has been co-head of the IWCF group since the 2010 merger between legacy firms Lovells and Hogan Hartson. He will stay on as a consultant supporting the firm's bribery and corruption team.

Meanwhile Rapinet, who is co-chair of the firm's pro bono practice and was regional managing partner of Asia and the Middle East offices from 2005 to 2013, will take over as IWCF co-head alongside Peter Spivack, who is based in Washington DC.

Rapinet advised Standard Chartered Bank following the collapse of Lehman Brothers as well as advising on international asset recovery for BTA Bank in Kazakhstan following its collapse.

In 2012 Cole was put forward as a potential candidate by the firm for London representative on its management board. An election process saw the role go to retail banking chief Emily Reid.