Baker McKenzie will launch a consultation on roles in its London professional and business services (PBS) team next month, as the firm begins a three-year assessment of its global PBS capabilities.

Teams affected include its human resources, finance, business development, marketing and communications, and knowledge management teams in the City.

As a result of the reshaping, the firm is set to launch new service centres in North and Latin America this year, and create new roles in its existing service centres in Manila and Belfast.

It is understood further reviews of roles at global centres will take place during the three-year period.

Baker McKenzie global chief operating officer Jason Marty said: "Our professional and business services function has grown organically over time and in line with changing client needs. Ensuring that we continue to deliver the best client service globally however, depends on having a more modern and agile PBS function which most effectively supports the business and its practices, and which is aligned with the future needs of the firm."

He added: "The new roles we are creating across the firm, the growth in our service centres and the investments we will be making in new technologies, underpin our strategic priorities to be a more efficient organisation with competitive and sustainable profitability, and a firm which is well placed to meet shifts in client demand in the future. As this major change process gets underway, we will be working closely with our PBS teams to ensure they are fully supported throughout."

Revenue and profit per equity partner at the firm climbed to new heights in 2017-18, with turnover reaching a record $2.9bn (£2.2bn) globally and PEP breaking £1m for the first time.

The legal giant's turnover in dollars jumped more than 8% year on year for the financial year ending 30 June, while PEP climbed 13% to reach $1.44m (£1.1m). The hike represents the first time that global PEP has cleared £1m in sterling.

By region, Europe, the Middle East and Africa brought in 39% of Bakers' revenue during the last financial year, while the Americas accounted for 35% and Asia-Pacific 26%.

The firm recently launched a programme that will see business services professionals working closely with partners to provide specialist support to clients, with the firm also rolling out third-party tech providers to more offices.

Other firms to review their support functions recently include Ashurst and Ince & Co. Earlier this year, Ashurst cut 54 London secretary positions following a redundancy consultation that started in May. The firm also is also set to launch an alternative legal services delivery centre in Brisbane next month.

Ince, meanwhile, made 32 redundancies in London during the summer, with 25 business services roles and seven fee earners going as a result of a consultation that began in June.