Clifford Chance

Connie Heng appointed as next Clifford Chance Regional Managing Partner for Asia Pacific

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has announced the appointment of Connie Heng to lead its Asia Pacific regional practice. Connie will start her new position on 1 November 2020. She will assume the role from Geraint Hughes who will have completed his four year term and remain as a partner in the firm. Geraint and Connie will work closely over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.

Connie has been Regional Head of the firm's Capital Markets practice in Asia Pacific since 2015. She has reinforced its position as the strongest in the region with more than 100 capital markets specialists covering the full spectrum of global capital raising activities. She has been a member of the firm's Global Wider Leadership Group since 2018, giving her valuable insight into the firm's global strategic agenda. Connie has also represented the firm as part of its delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos since 2012. In addition, Connie is an active supporter of inclusion and gender issues, founding the firm's first women's network in the region.

During the past four years, Geraint has focused on providing the best platform for clients to access the breadth of the firm's offering, and a truly collaborative approach advocating diversity and inclusion across the region. Clifford Chance is consistently recognised for its award winning practices across a broad range of sectors. Geraint has more recently also guided the Asia Pacific practice through the Covid-19 pandemic and has helped shape the firm's global response.

Global Managing Partner Matthew Layton said, "Geraint has done an outstanding job ensuring our team has anticipated the needs of our clients and encouraging a culture of collaboration that has led to four years of accelerated progress in Asia Pacific. The firm is particularly grateful for his thoughtful leadership during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; his experience and insights have been invaluable as the virus has spread globally.

"The firm, now entering its fifth decade in the region, is in an enviable position advising on the top deals, using and developing the latest technology to provide clients with the most efficient service and attracting the best talent through a collaborative and innovative mindset. 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."

Geraint added, "It has been an honour to lead our diverse and talented team during the past four years. I'm thrilled that Connie has been appointed as my successor. We've worked together since 2000. She's a fantastic role model who will lead our team to success in the decade ahead."

Connie said, "I am very excited about the opportunity to lead the firm in a region which has emerged as an active player and driver of growth in the global economy. I am hugely proud of what we have achieved in recent years under Geraint's leadership. I look forward to working with my fellow partners and other colleagues in the region and beyond to ensure our teams are working as seamlessly as possible across practices and sectors to offer the best service and legal insight in the market, always driven by an unrelenting focus on our clients' needs. Promoting the firm's core values of a diverse and inclusive culture will also be a priority for me: this is something I care about passionately, and which is incredibly important to our people, our clients and to our future success."

An announcement on Connie's replacement as Head of Capital Markets will be made later this year. Connie will continue to advise her clients on capital markets transactions.