Linklaters has appointed Asia corporate chief Matthew Middleditch as its new global practice head, succeeding Jeremy Parr in the role. 

Meanwhile, corporate partner Sarah Wiggins will succeed Fiona Hobbs as global client sectors head, just months after Parr appointed her to lead the London corporate practice.

Both appointments are for four-year terms and will start in September.

Middleditch, who has been a partner at the magic circle firm since 1990, joined Linklaters' Hong Kong office in 2012. He will continue to work in the city at least until a successor to the Asian corporate head role is appointed. 

Parr (pictured) will return to full-time fee earning when his term ends. During his four-year tenure as corporate chief he continued as the firm's key relationship partner for BP. 

Wiggins has been a corporate partner at Linklaters since 2000, and became the firm's first female London head of corporate in May. The energy sector expert completed a secondment at BP's head office last year.

She will continue to have overall responsibility for the London corporate team until a successor is appointed.