Travers Smith appoints new private equity chief

Travers Smith partner Phil Sanderson is to take over responsibility for the firm's private equity group from incumbent Charles Barter, who steps down from the role in July after five years.

Sanderson, who counts 3i, Exponent and Phoenix Equity Partners as key clients, was named as Barter's successor after consultation among the private equity group's nine partners.

Barter, who acts for clients such as Bridgepoint Capital and Fleming Family & Partners, said: "I set myself a task of doing five years in the job and that's where we are. I've been a full-time fee earner so this won't make that much difference for me."

He added: "This is obviously an important position externally. Internally it means running the group of 30 to 40 lawyers and making sure we are doing all the right things."

Barter, who trained with Travers, made partner in the corporate department in 1995 and set up the private equity group a year later.

Sanderson also trained with the firm, making partner in 2001. He has been part of the private equity group since t was set up.