Lee Ranson has been named as Eversheds' new chief executive after standing unopposed to replace Bryan Hughes in the role.

Ranson, who has been the firm's managing partner since 2009, will take up the new role at the beginning of May, when Hughes steps down after two consecutive four-year terms.

He has long been seen as the favourite for the post and no one stood against him in the election process.

Ranson said: "I have spent the whole of my professional career with Eversheds and am delighted to be in a position to lead our continued progression towards becoming a leading global law firm. We have a clear strategy and will continue to focus unashamedly on our clients – if they are successful, then we will be successful."

Ranson joined the firm in 1990 and led the real estate litigation group from 2002 and the real estate practice from 2005.

Hughes said: "I have very much enjoyed working closely with Lee, who has been a key member of the management team that has delivered a huge amount over the last eight years and I have no doubt that under his tenure as chief executive, the firm will go from strength to strength."

Eversheds said no decision had been taken yet to select a successor for Ranson as managing partner, a role he will continue to hold until he becomes chief executive.

International managing partner Ian Gray and corporate partner Keith Froud, both of whom are on the firm's executive committee alongside Ranson and Hughes, look set for key roles in the new leadership, although it is not yet clear what these will be.

Kathryn Fleming, the firm's chief operating officer and the only other member of the executive team, announced in August that she is set to leave the firm next year.