CC’s strategic appointments

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.

Firstbrook 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.  Firstbrook 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.

Visser 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.