Clifford Chance

Geraint Hughes appointed as next Clifford Chance Regional Managing Partner for Asia Pacific

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has announced the appointment of Geraint Hughes as its next Regional Managing Partner for its nine office Asia Pacific practice, spanning Greater China, North and South East Asia and Australia. Geraint will take up his new position in September 2016. He will assume the role from Peter Charlton who will return to the UK having completed his term with eight years in the role. Geraint and Peter will work closely over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.

Geraint has been Managing Partner of the firm's Singapore office since 2010. During this time, Clifford Chance has reinforced its position as the leading international law firm in the market. Overall, the practice has doubled its size since 2010, including entering into a successful Formal Law Alliance with local firm Cavenagh Law.

During Peter's tenure as Regional Managing Partner for Asia Pacific, the Firm has been widely recognised for its award winning practices across a broad range of sectors. The Firm's number of lawyers in the region grew by approximately 70% to over 450 and regional revenues have more than doubled. In anticipation of client needs and the tremendous growth of complex, cross-border transactions, Clifford Chance further developed its strong bases in the critical markets of Greater China, Singapore and Japan, expanded into new markets such as Australia and Korea, and established an association with Indonesian firm, Linda Widyati & Partners.

Matthew Layton commented, "Peter has led our practice in Asia Pacific through a very successful period. I'd like to thank him for his outstanding work and the huge contribution he has made to our success in the region. Under Geraint's future leadership, we will continue our commitment to build upon our position as the leading international firm in Asia Pacific and will continue to invest to ensure our clients have access to the best platform with the greatest breadth and depth that any firm can offer."

Peter Charlton said, "It has been an honour serving as Regional Managing Partner. I am very proud of what all of us in the region have accomplished. We have an outstanding group of lawyers in Asia Pacific operating seamlessly across markets. I am certain the firm will continue to go from strength to strength."

Geraint Hughes commented, "This is an exciting time for our clients and for the firm in Asia Pacific. Covering such dynamic and diverse markets, the quality and breadth our team combined with our international platform is of ever greater value to clients. My goal is to continue to draw on the strengths that have made us leaders in the region and which lie at the heart of the firm's strategy: a high quality, diverse team of lawyers working alongside clients to give them the best advice on the ground."

Geraint will relocate to Hong Kong in June. An announcement on Geraint's replacement as Office Managing Partner of Singapore will be made in the coming weeks.