Linklaters unveils head of emerging markets

12-May-2008

Nina Goswami

Linklaters capital markets chief Nick Eastwell is set to become head of the firm's new Emerging Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EEMENA) group.

The news comes as the magic circle's review of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) extends into the Middle East and North Africa. Eastwell, who ran for firmwide managing partner last year, will oversee the three regions, with the heads of the different jurisdictions reporting to him. The review is drawing to a close, with Hungary likely to be wrapped up, as it has some of the highest costs of the offices in the CEE region. Eastwell and managing partner Simon Davies are considering using Moscow as a hub for Eastern Europe and one other office as a central hub for the rest of the CEE.

Eastwell's role will be to bring alignment across the EEMENA region. While CEE is set for a big shake-up, the Middle East and North Africa regions are likely to remain relatively untouched. Linklaters declined to comment.