CC to vote on global corporate head

Clifford Chance private equity partner Matthew Layton is running unopposed for the role of global corporate head at the firm, with nominations set to close this week.

Layton became a Clifford Chance partner in 1991 and was London corporate head from 1999 to 2003.

He has been tipped as the frontrunner for the job since Peter Charlton left the post vacant when he won the election for Asian managing partner (The Lawyer, 8 September).

Charlton also ran unopposed for the Asian managing partner position and is set to relocate to Hong Kong in November to take over from previous Asia chief Jim Baird, who was taken ill while travelling in Asia earlier this year and remains in a critical condition in Hong Kong. Baird was first appointed regional managing partner in 2001.

Layton’s practice focuses on private equity work. He advises a number of private equity houses, and is particularly close to Permira.

Clifford Chance has long been Permira’s favoured legal adviser, with Layton leading the three-partner team charged with managing the relationship.