Taylor Wessing managing partner Tim Eyles (pictured) is to stand down on 1 October 2018, after nine years leading the firm.

Eyles first took up the role of managing partner in 2009, having previously been head of corporate at Taylor Wessing between 1992 and 2004.

The firm will hold an election process next year to decide who will take over from Eyles in October.

In an email to all staff, Eyles said: "I love this job. It teaches me a huge amount, not only as you would expect about business, but also about the brilliant people who make our own business tick. I hope you all know me well enough to appreciate that I will keep my foot as firmly as ever down on the MP pedal between now and October 2018 – and naturally will ensure a smooth handover to whomever is my successor."

He added that after stepping down from the managing partner role, he has "lots of ideas that will keep me occupied in business and the arts".

Under his leadership the firm's UK turnover has increased by 31%, from £98.2m to £128.9m, while profit per equity partner has risen by 83% to £770,000. Global turnover has risen by 32% in the period to £269.8m.

As managing partner, Eyles led the firm's transition to a full equity partnership in 2015, a move that almost doubled the number of partners with an equity stake in the firm. He also led the firm through last year's launches in Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, both through associations with local firms.

Eyles also oversaw the firm's 2011 tie-up with Singapore outfit RHTLaw as part of its launch in the city state. This led to the firm's entrance into Vietnam through a partnership between RHTLaw Taylor Wessing and Vietnamese firm PBC Partners.

In 2016-17, the firm posted a 1.8% UK revenue rise, alongside a 6% rise in global revenue from £254.4m to £269.8m.