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Ashurst shakes up global management team with appointments across City and Australian offices

Ashurst has introduced a series of new roles to its global management team following the appointment of new Sydney-based global managing partner Paul Jenkins (pictured), who officially assumed his role yesterday (June 1).

The changes mean the majority of leadership roles are now split between partners in its London and Australia-based offices.

Former co-head of the firm’s corporate division Simon Beddow has been made London office managing partner in one of three new roles created. Glasgow managing partner Mike Polson and Sydney-based banking and finance partner Jamie Ng will become co-heads of innovation, while London-based infrastructure partner Logan Mair has taken on the role of head of clients.

Polson, who leads the firm’s Glasgow legal sourcing and business support office and is a director of Ashurst Advance said Jenkins had been clear from day one that innovation is an important aspect of his management strategy.

‘He’s created these co-head roles so there’s real recognition within the firm and externally that this is very important and one of our top priorities. That is a core part of his agenda.’

Ashurst has also revamped its global corporate and finance divisions. Following the appointment of former finance co-head Jenkins to managing partner and the exit of fellow co-head Laurent Mabilat from the role, London-based finance partner Helen Burton and Sydney-based restructuring partner James Marshall have stepped in to the positions.

London-based Robert Ogilvy Watson has won the role of co-head in the firm’s corporate management structure, replacing Beddow. He will join current co-head, Perth- based Geoff Gishubl. London-based Simon Bromwich will continue to lead Ashurst’s disputes division.

Meanwhile, across the firm’s international offices, private equity partner Shaun Lascelles has been appointed Singapore office managing partner and banking and finance partner Shawn Wytenburg will become the firm’s Sydney office managing partner.

Jenkins said: ‘The management structure and team we have in place will ensure that we operate as effectively and efficiently as possible at a global level. It is essential for our future success to have a high performance team, working collaboratively and all focused on the key drivers of the business and fully accountable for the delivery of results.’

madeleine.farman@legalease.co.uk