Eversheds gives a rejig to global strategy

It has appointed a dedicated list of partners to deal with global clients in a move that is hoped will consolidate relationships across the board. The reshuffle comes in the wake of Victor Semmens' retirement, the former head of international and ex-chairman of the firm.
Alan Jenkins, exmanaging partner of Frere Cholmeley Bischoff, which merged with Eversheds in 1998, is spearheading the international focus and has replaced Semmens as head of international strategy.
Birmingham partner Martin Hopkins has taken control of the US and Canada, where there is an increasing amount of clients, including Dow Chemicals, DuPont and SPX. His clients include Associated British Foods, which he advises on employment, and which recently announced its £248m acquisition of Mazola and Associated Brands, Unilever's branded corn products business in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. The firm will target US clients but also has relationships with US firms. "We don't intend to open an office there and we have good relations with a number of US firms," stated Jenkins.
Despite breaking off its exclusive relationship with Dutch firm Boekel De Nerée last week, Eversheds maintains strong links with firms in Copenhagen, Italy and Brussels, although not Germany at present.