Beswick chosen as Osbornes chief

As first revealed on www.thelawyer/lawyernews on 12 December, Beswick succeeds Leslie Perrin who will move into the role of senior partner. Perrin will step into his new position when current senior partner Chris Curling retires in September 2003, after fourteen years in management roles at the firm.

Perrin will be Osborne Clarke's first full-time senior partner because, according to Beswick, the business was having to deal with more management issues. He said: "Most law firms typically have full-time management teams."

Beswick, who will be based in London and Bristol, refused to comment on the internal process that resulted in him securing the new position.

Osborne Clarke's operational division will be led by Chris Bull as chief operating officer. Meanwhile, Osborne Clarke's German branch will be headed by newly app-ointed managing partner Stefan Rizor who was previously the managing partner for Cologne.