Connie Heng, Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance has appointed Connie Heng as regional head of its Asia Pacific practice.

She is the firm's first ever female leader of a major region and will take over from predecessor Geraint Hughes from November 1, the firm said in a statement. Hughes will remain a partner at the firm.

Hong Kong-based Heng joined Clifford Chance in 2000 and was promoted to partner in 2005. She has been head of the firm's capital markets practice in Asia Pacific since 2015 and has advised on transactions including the issuance of Hong Kong's first non-government retail bonds.

She also founded the firm's first women's network in the region.

In a statement, global managing partner Matthew Layton said: " I am delighted Connie will be taking on this role. Her leadership skills, along with her deep market knowledge, are what's needed to head such a dynamic and high-performing practice.

" On the wider leadership group, Connie has consistently brought a fresh and challenging perspective, her diversity of experience and insight is immensely valuable to our decision-making and I am extremely pleased to see her take up this key leadership role in the firm."

The firm recently grew its Singapore practice with the hire of restructuring partner Shaun Langhorne. 

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