Allen & Overy (A&O)’s global head of communications David Crundwell is stepping down after just a year in the job.

Crundwell hands the team over to Richard Grove, who joins from LogicaCMG as director of marketing and business and development.

Crundwell declined to give reasons for his departure and it is not known whether or not he has a new position elsewhere.

He said in a statement: “I have really enjoyed my time with the firm, and am very pleased with the progress that we have made. I wish Richard Grove, and the everyone at Allen & Overy well for the future.”

It is understood that a firmwide email released on Wednesday (24 October) announced that today (26 October) would be his last day at the firm.

A&O’s first global head of communications, Crundwell was previously European manager of business affairs at General Motors, a spell that included the 2000 closure of subsidiary Vauxhall’s Luton plant. He joined A&O in October 2006.

“We are really sorry to lose David. He leaves the firm after having made a major contribution to all aspects of the firm’s communications. He worked hard to introduce improved processes, and modernise our thinking around stakeholder relations, key messaging and brand across the world. He has also helped professionalise all aspects of the function and his multiple skills in the field of communications will be a loss,” said managing partner David Morley in a prepared statement.