Mr Penney, who has been with the firm since 2005, will take up his new role on 1 May for a term of three years. He has acted for domestic and international clients on substantial M&A, with a particular focus on public takeovers, IPOs and joint ventures.

Addleshaw Goddard said that Mr Penney will combine his existing client responsibilities with his new leadership role, focusing on the firm's growth across its UK and international markets.

Andrew Carpenter, a partner in the firm's M&A and private equity group, also stood as a candidate in the election to succeed Ms Burch.

It was reported last month that merger talks between Addleshaws and Scottish firm Maclay Murray & Spens had been called off. The deal would have created a national practice with combined revenues of around £230m and was planned to go ahead this May. Addleshaws has been clear that it aims to make £250m in fee income by the financial year 2017/18, which a takeover would have helped achieve. Source: Legal Business