Ashurst has kicked off its chairman-election process, with incumbent Ben Tidswell's current term due to come to an end later this year.

The Anglo-Australian firm opened nominations for the position last week, with candidates having until the end of May to put themselves forward.

Partners expect dispute resolution partner Tidswell (pictured) to run for a second term, with one City partner telling Legal Week: "If everyone's being sensible, no one will run against Ben."

He was initially appointed to the role in November 2013, effectively ousting former senior partner – and fellow chairman contender – Charlie Geffen, who subsequently left for Gibson Dunn & Crutcher.

Tidswell has overseen some turbulent years at the firm in the wake of its 2013 merger with legacy Australian firm Blake Dawson. The firm had a particularly tough 2015-16, when average profit per equity partner (PEP) crashed by almost 20%, revenue dropped by 10% and the firm saw a regular flow of partner departures.

However, Ashurst saw its financial results improve last year, with PEP rebounding by 11.5% to £672,000, alongside a 7% revenue increase to £541m.

Tidswell joined Ashurst in 1993 and made partner in the London dispute resolution team in 2000, before becoming a board member in 2007. When he took up the chairman role in 2013, he also saw off competition from Sydney-based consumer protection partner Peter Armitage.

One London partner said: "Ben is popular. He's probably had the hardest time in the role out of anybody and overseen the most turbulent time at the firm. He's real about showing how to be a leader in difficult times and we've all seen that."

However, the partner added: "I'd be very surprised if it was uncontested. Australia loves a good election."

The elected chair will serve a four-year term in the role from November this year.

A spokesperson for the firm said: "We are embarking on an election process, the outcome of which will be announced in due course and we have no further comment in advance of that."