Baker & McKenzie's London managing partner Nigel Carrington has been promoted to the global firm's eight-strong executive committee.

The firm's executive committee has the role of managing the firm by setting policy and dealing with initiatives in the different regions. It has two partners from Europe, two from the Asia Pacific region, one from Latin America and three from the US. For Europe, it is Carrington and a partner in the Amsterdam office.

Carrington, whose London job is being taken over by IP partner Russell Lewin, said: “This is recognition by the firm of the success and importance of the London office after a record year.”

The firm's London office's gross fees were £41.5m last year representing an increase of 28 per cent in profits per partner.

Lewin has been elected London managing partner for a three-year term which begins in September.

He said his promotion would not lead to a major change of direction for the firm.

He said: “Although I will not be completely divorced from my key clients, the role is a full-time job, so my main client will be the London office.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of continuing the strategies initiated by Nigel over the last few years, and to introducing a few ideas of my own.”