Linklaters banking chief race down to three as Amsterdam partner pulls out

Amsterdam managing partner Martijn Koopal has pulled out of the race to become head of Linklaters’ global banking practice.

He told The Lawyer he has chosen to focus on building up the firm’s Netherlands banking capability.

He was one of four partners who emerged today as candidates for the role, the others being Tom Wells and co-head of leveraged finance Gideon Moore, both in London, as well as Trevor Clark, who  heads the Asian banking and projects team out of Hong Kong.

Koopal said: “It’s better for me to focus on building up the Dutch banking practice. These [management roles] take a considerable amount of time - there are only 24 hours in a day.”

Koopal was previously head of banking in Amsterdam but now holds the role of managing partner for the office.

Robert Elliott, who currently heads the global banking team, will leave the role in October having been elected as next senior partner in May. He will take over from David Cheyne.