Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance Welcomes General Manager Robert Smit

Amsterdam, 8 February 2011. International law firm Clifford Chance welcomes Robert Smit as general manager for the Amsterdam office. Robert Smit (41) will be closely involved with the further strategic development of the office and will also head the Business Services departments.

Robert began his career at KPMG in 1988, where he held a number of positions and qualified as a chartered accountant. Robert was lead partner at KPMG from 2001 till 2010, where he was responsible for managing the relationship with listed as well as large private companies. Robert also managed the HR, Risk management and resource management departments.

Bas Boris Visser, managing partner of Clifford Chance Amsterdam, comments: "We are very pleased with the appointment of Robert Smit as general manager. I am convinced he will be able to further optimise the service we provide to our clients by speeding up the implementation of our office strategy.  His vast HR, finance and management experience will stimulate the further professionalisation of our office."

Robert Smit: "The Clifford Chance partnership has a fantastic international network. As a former partner I feel very much at home here. Our clients ask us to help them with international and complex issues. The Clifford Chance organisation is very well placed to address these issues. Our office strategy focuses on the further development and enhancement of our organisation and the professionalisation of the Business Services departments will contribute to that."