Global head of banking Gideon Moore has been selected as the next managing partner of Linklaters, pipping dispute resolution head Michael Bennett and Asia managing partner Marc Harvey to the post.
The Linklaters’ partnership board has completed its consultation process and selected Moore as its recommended candidate. A vote to ratify the appointment will take place at the firm’s partners’ conference to be held in London on 17 November.
Moore emerged as the strongest candidate for the managing partner post after the elimination of finance and projects head Michael Kent, western Europe managing partner Pieter Riemer and co-head of operational intelligence Tom Shropshire from the managing partner race at the end of September.
Sheffield-born Moore has led Linklaters global banking group since 2011 and his tilt at the top job was boosted recently by his reappointment to the role, despite his candidacy for the managing partner post.
The oldest and the most experienced of the final candidates, Moore was the only partner on the final shortlist not to have been trained at Linklaters, having started his career as a barrister before stints at Magic Circle rival Clifford Chance and DLA Piper.
Having spent all of his Linklaters career at Silk Street, Moore has a large following in London and runs a banking group that accounts for almost 25% of the firm’s turnover. Before becoming banking chief, Moore spent 10 years as head of leveraged finance with partnership board member Nick Syson.
Robert Elliott, Linklaters chairman and senior partner, said: ‘The board’s recommendation of Gideon Moore as firmwide managing partner designate comes after an incredibly positive and constructive process involving all high-calibre candidates, who demonstrated clear and compelling visions. Having now reached a decision, we have every confidence that Gideon will prove an outstanding managing partner and look forward to our upcoming conference to bring together firm-wide support, upon which the next phase of the firm’s development will be built.’
One Linklaters partner told Legal Business: ‘We all got the email this morning at about 9am from Rob. Gideon will bring some changes. Of course he will have to work with people to make those changes but everyone is looking forward to having a fresh perspective. We’re a strong firm but we need to make some changes about how we work with each other and build the culture. Of course, everyone now turns to the senior partner election as the combination of those two people is important.’
As current managing partner Simon Davies is to step down a year early from his term to join Lloyds Bank as chief legal, people and strategy officer, a handover period will begin between now and the New Year.
Moore will take a four-year term as managing partner on 1 January if his appointment is confirmed by the partnership.
tom.moore@legalease.co.uk
Read more on the Linklaters managing partner race here.
