Clifford Chance's global chief operating officer (COO), Amanda Burton, is to step down at the end of the year after four years in the role.

Burton, who was appointed to the firm's newly former Executive Leadership Group (ELG) on its establishment in July, has been at the firm since 2000 initially joining as London operating officer. She became global COO in 2010.

In her position as global COO Burton has devised and implemented a number of high-profile initiatives including the introduction of resource managers to allocate associate work-load and efficiency ‘black belts' to identify inefficiencies in the way CC's lawyers work.

Burton was also instrumental in the establishment of the CC's outsourced ‘Knowledge Centre' in India which provides transaction and case support to its lawyers, with over 60 legally skilled employees now working at the Delhi base.

"Amanda has made a fantastic contribution to the success of the firm over the 14 years that she has been with us," said managing partner Matthew Layton. "She leaves with our thanks and very best wishes for her future".

The formation of the ELG, which included Burton, saw membership of the firm's leading decision-making body shrink from 16 to 12 and has been seen as a move by Layton to cut the number of managerial and executive positions at CC.

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Clifford Chance's global chief operating officer (COO), Amanda Burton, is to step down at the end of the year after four years in the role.

Burton, who was appointed to the firm's newly former Executive Leadership Group (ELG) on its establishment in July, has been at the firm since 2000 initially joining as London operating officer. She became global COO in 2010.

In her position as global COO Burton has devised and implemented a number of high-profile initiatives including the introduction of resource managers to allocate associate work-load and efficiency ‘black belts' to identify inefficiencies in the way CC's lawyers work.

Burton was also instrumental in the establishment of the CC's outsourced ‘Knowledge Centre' in India which provides transaction and case support to its lawyers, with over 60 legally skilled employees now working at the Delhi base.

"Amanda has made a fantastic contribution to the success of the firm over the 14 years that she has been with us," said managing partner Matthew Layton. "She leaves with our thanks and very best wishes for her future".

The formation of the ELG, which included Burton, saw membership of the firm's leading decision-making body shrink from 16 to 12 and has been seen as a move by Layton to cut the number of managerial and executive positions at CC.

How effective is your law firm's IT? Complete this Legal Week survey for a chance to win an iPad Air: click here