Baker McKenzie has created a new position to identify and implement new services and revenue. Ilnort Rueda joins from global consultancy AT Kearney where he was a partner in its financial institutions practice. He will take up the job as chief services officer and be based in New York. In his new role Mr Rueda will be responsible for defining and leading the implementation of new services, business models, and revenue sources and will oversee the continued development of the firm's global practice group strategies and services. Along with EMEA chair Erik Scheer, he will co-lead on the firm's overall innovation initiative and will work with the innovation committee to develop and implement a broad programme of activities to ensure that Baker McKenzie adapts faster and more successfully than other firms to changes in the legal industry and leads the market in providing world class solutions to client challenges.

Transformation agenda

Mr Ilnort says: 'Baker McKenzie has a deserved reputation as a leading innovative law firm and I am excited to be part of the next stage of that journey, working with colleagues around the world. I decided to join because I see substantial investments and an authentic commitment especially at the most senior levels to move forward with an ambitious transformation agenda.'

Capture opportunities

Paul Rawlinson, global chair at Baker McKenzie said: 'As a firm Baker McKenzie is a leader in the legal sector in innovation, project management, pricing, and our approach to new services which we estimate is already creating an annual revenue impact  of more than $50m.  This appointment reflects a desire  to build on these strengths in a strategic and combined way – to meet and exceed our clients’ changing demands and to capture the opportunities that disruption in the legal industry provides.'