Asia chief scoops Freshfields global finance role

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has confirmed Asia managing partner Perry Noble as the global head of the magic circle firm’s finance division.

The role became vacant last month after incumbent Simon Hall decided to step down a year early. The move triggered a wholesale shake-up of management roles in the firm’s finance practice.

Hall has effectively run Freshfields’ finance practice since 1994, during which time it has upped its profile considerably.

As first revealed by The Lawyer (20 October, 2003), Freshfields brought in consultants McKinsey & Company to identify its growth potential, particularly in banking and acquisition finance. This year the firm made up six partners in finance.