Linklaters' global head of alternative legal services has left the firm unexpectedly, just weeks after being appointed to the position.

Mark Higgs, who joined the Magic Circle firm less than a year ago as chief operating officer of the firm's flexi-lawyering platform, Re:Link, had just been appointed to the new position of global head in October.

The role saw him leading the firm's Re:link, legal project management, and alternative resourcing and legaltech teams, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Before this, he helped lead on the launch and growth of Re:Link itself, which went live in April this year.

The firm is not replacing Higgs, according to a person with knowledge of the departure.

According to a person at Linklaters, Higgs left the firm of his own volition, and the firm said that its director of legal operations, Stewart Chippindale, will continue to provide senior leadership and strategic direction for Re:link.

Higgs joined the firm from Ashurst, where he was director of the firm's own alternative legal service, Ashurst Advance, and prior to that had led Ashurst's strategic projects team.

In a statement, a Linklaters spokesperson commented: "Mark joined the firm earlier this year to support the Re:link team in the successful launch of the firm's new flexible resourcing platform.

"Since launch, Re:link has significantly surpassed its client and consultant targets and its experienced team will continue to provide our clients and our practices with market-leading support. We thank Mark for his help on the project."

Mark Higgs has been approached for comment.

In January, Allen & Overy's own flexible legal services head, Richard Punt, left the Magic Circle firm, having led its Peerpoint division. He is now chief strategy officer at Thomson Reuters.