Clifford Chance (CC) has named banking and finance lawyer Dauwood Malik as its new Hong Kong managing partner, the latest in a series of leadership changes in the region.

Malik will take up his new role at the start of next month, with Hong Kong-based colleague Connie Heng taking up her new position leading the firm’s Asia Pacific regional practice at the same time.

Matthew Layton, global managing partner, said: “I am confident [Malik’s] leadership experience and deep market knowledge will pave the way for the firm's continued success in Hong Kong.”

Malik has been a partner in Hong Kong’s banking and finance team since 2011, having joined the firm in 2007. He specialises in corporate credit, infrastructure financing and real estate development, and has previously served on the firm’s global partnership council and as knowledge partner for Asia Pacific.

Incoming regional managing partner Heng said: “[Malik] brings a wealth of experience to the role having been such an active partner of the firm, and a new voice to our dynamic and diverse leadership team.”

Heng, meantime, becomes regional head having led the firm’s Asia Pacific capital markets practice since 2015 and served as a member of its global wider leadership group since 2018. She replaces outgoing Asia Pacific regional head Geraint Hughes, who completes his four-year term and will remain a partner at the firm.

Layton said: “Geraint has done an outstanding job ensuring our team has anticipated the needs of our clients and encouraging a culture of collaboration that has led to four years of accelerated progress in Asia Pacific. The firm is particularly grateful for his thoughtful leadership during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; his experience and insights have been invaluable as the virus has spread globally.”

Layton said Heng’s contribution to the wider leadership group has brought diversity and fresh perspectives to the firm’s decision-making. 

Heng said: “Promoting the firm’s core values of a diverse and inclusive culture will also be a priority for me: this is something I care about passionately, and which is incredibly important to our people, our clients and to our future success.”

Earlier this week, CC announced the appointment of Singapore-based funds and investment partner Kai-Niklas Schneider to its global leadership group in a newly created role to lead the magic circle firm’s financial investors strategy.

The Asia Pacific region accounted for 18% of firmwide revenue in CC's last financial year, having recorded a 5% increase to £322m, according to financial results released by the firm in July.