Taylor Wessing has appointed Keith Barnett to head its UK real estate practice following the decision by Adam Marks to step down on 1 November.

Barnett, who had been the firm’s head of development since 2002, will head the firm’s third most lucrative practice after corporate and IP, which houses 15 partners and a total of 70 lawyers.

Marks, who had led the real estate department since 2003, has returned to a fee-earning role within the practice.

Taylor Wessing’s recent real estate transactions have included London & Regional’s redevelopment of the former Marks & Spencer’s headquarters on the capital’s Baker Street as well as its redevelopment of Greenwich Wharf.