Clifford Chance finance director in shock departure

Clifford Chance is losing its finance director to headhunting group Whitehead Mann.

The surprise departure of Christopher Merry was announced in Whitehead Mann’s interim results yesterday.

Merry has worked at Clifford Chance for four-and-a-half years. Among other things, he was responsible for leading the firm’s ground breaking $150m private placement earlier this year.

As yet, it is not clear whether the firm will promote internally or seek an external candidate to replace Merry.

Clifford Chance global managing partner Peter Cornell said: "Chris has made an invaluable contribution to the strategic financial management of Clifford Chance in a period of great change for the firm. We very much appreciate his commitment, and effective management of the firm's finances.

"We are sorry to see him go, but he goes with our very best wishes in his future role."