26 April 2012
Asia – DLA Piper today announces that Bob Charlton, partner at DLA Piper and current International Group Head of Finance and Projects, has been appointed to the role of Managing Director, Asia Pacific, effective 1 May 2012.
Bob Charlton is a highly regarded finance and projects lawyer both in the UK and Asia with extensive experience in infrastructure, transactional and banking fields. Bob had been leading DLA Piper’s International Finance and Projects Group and previously worked in Asia for many years prior during his career at Clifford Chance and Freshfields.
The leadership change marks one year to the day that the Australian practice integrated with DLA Piper, and follows the significant contribution by Alastair Da Costa in his five years as head of DLA Piper’s Asia, then Asia Pacific, business. Alastair is returning to the UK where he will pursue a Masters degree at the London School of Economics, while remaining as a consultant for the firm.
In his new role, Bob will work with senior leadership in the region to drive DLA Piper’s Asia Pacific strategy, pursuing the clear vision for DLA Piper to be recognised as the leading global business law firm in the Asia Pacific region.
“Our significant presence in Asia Pacific is crucial to fulfilling our aim of being the leading global business law firm” added Sir Nigel Knowles. “Bob is an extremely able partner with an affinity with the region and who is heavily invested in the business. He is without question the best person to succeed Alastair and lead the firm’s efforts in Asia Pacific.”
Bob Charlton commented: “I’m tremendously excited to lead the Asia Pacific business, not least because of the time I will get to spend in what is one of the most vibrant business regions in the world. The experience I have in finance and projects, and of spending many enjoyable years living and working in the region, has prepared me well to take on this role. I look forward to putting that experience to use and working with our talented people across our Asia Pacific offices.”
Bob will be based in Hong Kong and plans to split his time between DLA Piper in Australia and Asia and regularly visit the firm’s 11 offices in the region: Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Canberra, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Perth, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
