Guy Templeton started work this morning at Minter Ellison, and will sit alongside Clark in the upcoming months to learn the ropes of his new role before Clark leaves the firm.

Chairman of partners at Minter Ellison, Peter Bartlett, yesterday announced the appointment, and said Templeton’s strengths are in developing and implementing strategies for growth in the Asia Pacific region. His excellent credentials in both Australia and Asia would be an excellent asset for the firm, Bartlett said.

Templeton said yesterday that Minter Ellison is “poised to become a clear leader in the Asia Pacific legal market”.

Templeton comes from PA Consulting Group, where he was one of ten global managing partners. He was also recently Australia Country Head and Chairman Asia Pacific Regional Development. Bartlett said the firm would benefit from Templeton’s “track record of building profitable professional practices in the [Asia Pacific] region”.

The new Minters man was based in Hong Kong from 1995 to early 2003. In that time, he ran PA Consulting Group’s global Telecommunications & Media Practice. He then had joint leadership of the broader Strategy & Private Sector Group.

Having worked in more than 20 countries, Templeton has had responsibility for project delivery in telecommunication, utilities, government sectors, media, travel, information services, financial services and transport. As well, he has overseen the growth of successful practices in Europe, Asia and North America.

Bartlett yesterday acknowledged the contribution Clark had made to the firm, lifting its profile and performance dramatically over the past 10 years. As managing partner and CEO this contribution has been “pivotal”, Bartlett said. The firm is fortunate, he said, that Clark will “be on hand” over the next five months to work with Templeton and “pass on his wealth of knowledge”.