Wayne Spanner, who has been with the firm since 2002, will take over from Don Boyd, who will remain as group deputy chief executive of Norton Rose Group.

Spanner is currently Australia practice group leader and global practice leader of Norton Rose Group's employment and labour practice. He played a key role in the Australian practice's integration with Norton Rose Group.

"Wayne has a strong track record of providing strategic, commercial and managerial advice. He led a strong list of candidates for the role and I look forward to working with him as we move to the next stage of our global development," said Peter Martyr, group chief executive officer, Norton Rose Group.

Boyd said it is "tremendous" for the firm to have someone with the "rare combination of legal and managerial skills needed to drive the Australian practice through an unprecedented time of change in the legal services industry".

"Wayne has ... demonstrated the strategic skills necessary to grow the practice and is well known within the international practice and to the practice's local and international clients," said Boyd.

Spanner said he is excited about the opportunity to strengthen the firm's ties with Africa and Canada and further develop in Asia.

"I'd like to leave behind a firm which is much stronger in the Asian and global market; a legacy which sees us partnering with our clients in the regions where they are doing work," he told Lawyers Weekly.

Spanner was made partner in 2000, practice group leader in 2008 and global practice leader in 2011.

He holds a Masters degree from Oxford University and has more than 20 years of experience as a lawyer in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Spanner's appointment was endorsed by the global executive committee and overwhelmingly supported by the Australian partners today.