Weston wins Camerons managing partner vote

CMS Cameron McKenna's Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) regional head Duncan Weston has won more than 50 per cent of the vote to become the firm's managing partner elect.

Weston will succeed incumbent Dick Tyler, who steps down in April.

In his first interview since the election, Weston told The Lawyer: "My main philosophy is that we should be a leading European firm.

"That's why I was voted in: I work across Western and Central Europe and London markets and I'm one of the only partners to have that experience."

In a swift election he beat property head Edward Benzecry, commercial head Nigel Moore and corporate partners Niall McAlister and Louise Wallace.

One high-level Camerons partner said: "Duncan has a great track record and is very positive. He's close to the CMS network, and if that's the way forward for us, it makes perfect sense."

The nine firms that comprise the CMS network vote in January on whether they should integrate further.

CEE work has tripled its fee income under Weston's leadership, becoming one of Camerons' most profitable groups of the firm.

One partner described Weston as a visionary, but questioned whether he was detailorientated enough to handle the managing partner role.

In response to this, Weston said: "I've managed 10 offices. There's been lots of nitty-gritty. It's a misconception to think that a visionary cannot be hands-on too."

The managing partner role is a full-time position, although Weston may still manage several key client relationships.

Tyler has served a maximum of two four-year terms. Profit doubled under his watch. He will remain at the firm, but is yet to announce what his position will be.