Ashurst shakes up global management and ushers in London managing partner role
London corporate partner Simon Beddow and projects partner Logan Mair both secure new roles as Ashurst revamps global management
June 01, 2016 at 07:13 PM
5 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Law.com
Ashurst has revamped its global management structure in the wake of the appointment of Paul Jenkins as firm-wide managing partner and introduced a London head for the first time.
Corporate co-head Simon Beddow, who was previously tipped as a likely contender to replace James Collis as global managing partner, will take up the newly created role of London managing partner.
The corporate practice will instead be co-led by London partner Robert Ogilvy Watson (pictured) alongside Perth-based Geoff Gishubl, who held this role previously.
Ogilvy Watson was Ashurst's Hong Kong managing partner until May 2015, when he rejoined the firm's corporate practice in London.
Finance will be co-led by London partner Helen Burton and former Sydney managing partner James Marshall.
The practice was previously led by Jenkins and Paris partner Laurent Mabilat, who has stepped down from the management role but will remain with the firm's Paris finance practice.
Disputes will continue to be led by former Ashurst managing partner Simon Bromwich.
Meanwhile, London projects partner Logan Mair is head of clients, with responsibility for the firm's client strategy.
Earlier this year, Legal Week reported that both Beddow and Mair were being tipped by some inside the firm as potential contenders to replace Collis.
Ashurst has also created two new head of innovation positions, which will be held by Mike Polson, head of the firm's Glasgow legal sourcing and business support office, and Sydney banking partner Jamie Ng.
Elsewhere, corporate partner Shaun Lascelles has been appointed Singapore managing partner, while banking partner Shawn Wytenburg has been appointed managing partner of the Sydney office.
Lascelles replaces corporate partner Keith McGuire, who is still at the firm, while Wytenberg replaces Marshall, who is now global finance co-head.
The overhaul follows the April appointment of legacy Blake Dawson lawyer Jenkins as managing partner, after James Collis announced he was stepping down from the role after one term to return to the firm's finance practice.
Jenkins said: "The management structure and team we have in place will ensure that we operate as effectively and efficiently as possible at a global level."
He added that he was confident the new leadership team would "maximise all opportunities for our people and our clients".
All of the changes take effect immediately.
Corporate co-head Simon Beddow, who was previously tipped as a likely contender to replace James Collis as global managing partner, will take up the newly created role of London managing partner.
The corporate practice will instead be co-led by London partner Robert Ogilvy Watson (pictured) alongside Perth-based Geoff Gishubl, who held this role previously.
Ogilvy Watson was
Finance will be co-led by London partner Helen Burton and former Sydney managing partner James Marshall.
The practice was previously led by Jenkins and Paris partner Laurent Mabilat, who has stepped down from the management role but will remain with the firm's Paris finance practice.
Disputes will continue to be led by former
Meanwhile, London projects partner Logan Mair is head of clients, with responsibility for the firm's client strategy.
Earlier this year, Legal Week reported that both Beddow and Mair were being tipped by some inside the firm as potential contenders to replace Collis.
Elsewhere, corporate partner Shaun Lascelles has been appointed Singapore managing partner, while banking partner Shawn Wytenburg has been appointed managing partner of the Sydney office.
Lascelles replaces corporate partner Keith McGuire, who is still at the firm, while Wytenberg replaces Marshall, who is now global finance co-head.
The overhaul follows the April appointment of legacy
Jenkins said: "The management structure and team we have in place will ensure that we operate as effectively and efficiently as possible at a global level."
He added that he was confident the new leadership team would "maximise all opportunities for our people and our clients".
All of the changes take effect immediately.
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