Pinsent Masons' veteran managing partner David Ryan has decided not to run for re-election when his current term comes to an end in April next year.

Ryan (pictured), who has served nearly 16 years at the helm of the firm, guiding it through three mergers and openings in France, Germany, the Gulf, China and Singapore, says he intends to remain heavily involved in Pinsents' central management team "to help ensure continuity at the executive level". He will also take up a senior role leading projects.

Ryan said: "My enthusiasm for our business is undimmed so the decision not to stand again was a difficult one. The firm has made tremendous progress towards achieving its 2020 vision since we first articulated it in 2008.

"However, on reflection my feeling was that I can still make a significant contribution to helping the firm achieve its strategic ambitions without doing that as the managing partner. My immediate focus now is on ensuring a strong second half in an important year for the firm."

Timings of the election for Ryan's successor are yet to be decided; however the firm is aiming to complete the process as soon as possible to allow for a smooth transition after his term ends.

Ryan, who was initially voted in as managing partner of legacy Pinsent Curtis in 1999, oversaw the firm's subsequent mergers with Biddle in 2001 and Masons in 2004, followed by its takeover of Scots firm McGrigors in 2012.

Pinsents recently voted in construction chief Richard Foley as its new senior partner following a contested election against Chris Mullen, who had held the post since 2005. The election was the first to be contested since Ryan took the managing partner role in 1998.

Ryan and Mullen were last reappointed to their positions in uncontested elections in 2008, with an expected election in 2012 postponed due to the McGrigors tie-up.

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