Travers Smith has appointed private equity star Paul Dolman as its new co-head of corporate, in the latest leadership change at the firm.

Currently the head of Travers' private equity and financial sponsors practice, Dolman today  (July 1) takes up the leadership spot alongside Spencer Summerfield, who has been sole head of corporate since 2013.

Despite the new role, Dolman will continue to act as private equity head, with a brief to oversee the firm's M&A, private equity and equity capital markets practices.

Also commencing a new role today is Kathleen Russ, who was elected the firm's first female senior partner in November last year. Russ takes over from Chris Hale, who will remain at the firm as a consultant.

A Travers lifer, Dolman has helped establish a market-leading private equity practice, over the years representing a range of private equity houses including Bridgepoint and Lyceum Capital. Recently, he advised Horizon Capital and Ardian on the sale of food chain EAT to Pret A Manger.

The leadership changes at Travers follow a year of strong financials, with the firm's profit per equity partner rising by 24% and revenues growing by nearly £22 million to £146.9 million.

Despite this however, the firm announced a slimmed-down promotion round in May this year, promoting only four London-based lawyers to the partnership, half that of the previous year.