Angus McBride will leave his position as a partner at London law firm Kingsley Napley to take up the new position in March. In 2013 and 2014, Mr McBride was the lead trial solicitor for the defence of News UK chief executive and former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks, who was eventually cleared of all charges relating to the News of the World phone-hacking scandal. Since his success at trial, Ms Brooks has repeatedly expressed her esteem for Mr McBride. 'If you're ever in trouble, his number should be your first call. Wise, clever, strategic, empathetic and unbelievably modest. He will be our friend forever,' Ms Brooks told Spear's 500 following the trial.

A new challenge

Mr McBride will replace outgoing News UK general counsel Emma Moloney, who is leaving the position after just eight months for 'a role yet to be announced'. On paper, Mr McBride seems an unlikely candidate for a general counsel post, as his background is in criminal rather than civil law. However, Mr McBride has said he will 'relish the challenge' of stepping in-house. 'I hope that my 25 years in practice working at the cutting edge of high profile litigation will strengthen the [News UK] team in confronting the ever more complex legal landscape that the industry faces,' he said. Sources: BBC; Legal Business