Clifford Chance appoints new global head of corporate

Clifford Chance appoints new global head of corporate" />Clifford Chance private equity partner Matthew Layton has officially taken up the post of global corporate head after standing unopposed.

The election was held at short notice to find a replacement for Peter Charlton, who left the job vacant when he won the election for Asia managing partner (The Lawyer, 8 September).

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 relationship team.

Charlton had also run unopposed for the Asia managing partner position and will relocate to Hong Kong in November to take over from previous Asia chief Jim Baird.

Baird was taken ill while travelling in Asia earlier this year and remains in a critical condition in Hong Kong.