Linklaters reshuffle sees new Asia head

Linklaters reshuffle sees new Asia head" />Linklaters' finance department is facing a change of leadership as global head Giles White moves across to become Asia managing partner and banking head John Tucker is indicating a wish to stand down at the end of the year.

White, whose term as head of finance and projects expires at the end of this financial year, takes over the Asia job in May 2007. Current Asia head and corporate partner Simon Davies will return to full-time fee-earning in London.

White told The Lawyer: "I worked in Asia in the mid-1990s. I loved it and my family loved it. This is a huge opportunity to help the firm build on Simon's great work."

Davies said: "Giles is ideally suited to the role. I performed a consultation with partners in Asia and I've now received the international board's approval.

"He's got significant management experience, having been head of finance and projects globally and during his time on excom [the executive committee]. With his expertise in Asia it makes a great combination."

White's move underlines a general shift in the make-up of the firm's management. Earlier this year he stood for senior partner against corporate partner David Cheyne and banking partner Robert Elliott. Cheyne, who won the vote, assumed office this month.

White's move coincides with news that banking head John Tucker will be stepping down from his role. Tucker has been leading the banking practice for eight years. He said: "My term was coming to an end. Going back to fee-earning was always the planned route."