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Clifford Chance drives strategy with two major appointments

20 January 2015

Clifford Chance drives strategy with two major appointments

Caroline Firstbrook becomes the firm's new Chief Operating Officer Bas Boris Visser takes on the role of Global Head of Innovation and Business Change

Leading global law firm, Clifford Chance has announced two new senior level appointments designed to support the delivery of the firm's strategy.  Caroline Firstbrook, who joins the firm in mid February, succeeds Amanda Burton as the firm's Chief Operating Officer.  Meanwhile, Bas Boris Visser, Managing Partner of Clifford Chance's Amsterdam office, takes on the new role of Global Head of Innovation and Business Change, effective immediately.

Caroline will lead the firm's global operations, including more than 3,000 Business Services staff.  She will also draw on her extensive experience in strategy consulting to support Clifford Chance Managing Partner, Matthew Layton and the firm's leadership, on the implementation of its vision and strategy.  Caroline previously led a 1,000 person strategy practice across Europe, Latin America and Africa for Accenture, and spent 12 years as a strategy consultant at Monitor.

Bas Boris will play an important role in leading the firm's strategy to anticipate, respond and adapt to key factors shaping the global legal industry, including new technologies and market entrants.  He will work with teams in Clifford Chance already focused on the innovation and change agenda including in Business Transformation, Knowledge, IT and Talent, as well as with partners and associates around the firm globally. 

Matthew Layton commented, "We have set ourselves an ambitious vision to be the global law firm of choice for the world's leading businesses, of today and tomorrow.  To deliver that, we need to be able to draw on the very best talent: people able to think strategically, to be creative and challenging and who are passionate about delivering change.  Caroline and Bas Boris share these qualities, as well as bringing a wealth of relevant experience. I am delighted that they will both be working alongside me over the coming years as we continue to set the benchmark for the delivery of world-class legal advice and service."