Mr Morley is one of UK’s most innovative lawyers and widely recognised as one of the most influential global leaders in the legal profession. He said: ‘Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas is a leading independent law firm in India with an amazing global reputation. It has been at the forefront of driving change, within the firm, in the Indian legal industry and in delivery of services to its clients. I am looking forward to my association with the firm and being a part of their transformation journey as they approach the next century of their journey.’

Strategic board

Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas launched its Strategic Advisory Board in 2015 which guides the firm on vision, overall direction and strategy matters. The Strategic Advisory Board currently comprises of Deepak Parekh (Chairman, Housing Development Finance Corporation); Ashok Chawla (Former Chairperson, Competition Commission of India); Uday Kotak (Executive Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Bank); Dr Janmejaya Sinha (Chairman, Boston Consulting Group - Asia Pacific) and Professor Umakanth Varottil (Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, National University Singapore  and ex- Partner of Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co.

Vision

On David’s appointment managing partner Cyril Shroff said: ‘David Morley’s appointment reaffirms our faith in our Strategic Advisory Board. Along with serving as a member of this distinguished board, David will also be an advisor to the firm and will guide the senior leadership on strategic issues of the future. David’s experience and vision for the future of the legal profession has few parallels. His approach towards innovation is unique. David’s beliefs and thoughts resonate with the values that form the foundation of our firm.’

Illustrious career

After studying law at St John’s College, Cambridge, Mr Morley spent almost his entire professional career at Allen & Overy. Winning three successive leadership elections he led the firm from 2013-2016, initially as managing partner then two terms as senior partner. During his leadership, revenue close to doubled from £666 million to £1.28 billion (2005-2015) with profits up 133 per cent from £245 million to £579 million over the same period, including seven consecutive years of revenue and profit growth post 2008/9 financial crisis.  Allen & Overy's navigation of the 2008/9 financial crisis, led by Mr Morley, is the subject of a Harvard Business School case study.

Stellar

Mr Morley has over 25 years of stellar City transactional and relationship experience at the highest level and as a banking lawyer has negotiated some of the largest financings in the world and was awarded the Law Society Special Achievement Award in 2015. Upon his retirement from Allen & Overy, he is now pursuing a range of business interests including being the chairman of private equity fund Elaghmore GP LLP as well as consulting on leadership and strategy in professional services. Earlier stints also include being the Advisory Council Member, Mayor of London’s International Business Advisory Council under Mayor Boris Johnson. He was also founder and former chairman of Prime, the UK legal profession's body helping to provide fair access to quality work experience for young people from less privileged backgrounds.