11 May, 2017
King & Wood Mallesons confirmed that Sue Kench has been appointed as Global Managing Partner, effective 1 June 2017.
Sue has held the role of Chief Executive Partner Australia since 2013 and over that time the Australian business has gone from strength to strength, gaining market share, growing profit and revenue and winning a range of coveted awards. She is a current member of the firm’s Global Executive Committee and International Management Committee.
Sue will lead the firm’s global strategy and operations with a focus on cementing KWM as the leading international firm in Asia.
The firm has also announced the appointment of Rupert Li to a new role of Global Chief Operating Officer with the remit to foster greater integration of its regional practices. Rupert has held the role of International Partner within the China and Hong Kong practices and has played a key role in the development of the firm’s international operations. He is a current member of the firm’s International Management Committee as well as a current member of the China Management Committee.
Global Chairman Wang Junfeng said: "Sue Kench is an excellent appointment for the firm as its new Global Managing Partner. Her track record of success as the Chief Executive Partner of KWM Australia combined with her international relationships and deep understanding of the global business puts her in a strong position to build on the steps already taken by the firm to build its global platform and drive the global strategy forward.”
Wang Junfeng added: "The creation of the new role of Global Chief Operating Officer is designed to focus on greater levels of operational integration across the global firm and I'm pleased that Rupert Li will take on this important role."
Sue Kench said: “It is a great privilege to have been appointed Global Managing Partner. With the pre-eminence of our Asian practice, together with the rest of our network, we are focused on creating a world class firm that clients instinctively turn to for doing business into or out of Asia, and where our consistently outstanding service delivery makes us a firm that clients love to work with.”
Sue succeeds Stuart Fuller who stepped down from the Global Managing Partner at the end of 2016 and has returned to full time practice in Australia.
The firm has also announced the appointment of Berkeley Cox as Sue’s replacement as Chief Executive Partner Australia. Berkeley is currently Deputy Managing Partner Australia and Managing Partner for the Banking & Finance, Financial Services and Projects & Real Estate groups. He has been in Australian management roles since 2008 and a member of the firm’s Executive Leadership team for the past five years where he has played a significant role in developing and delivering on the Australian firm’s strategic priorities.
