Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Richard Norridge – who joined the firm three years ago – lead its Asia Private Wealth practice, effective 1 January.

International law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Richard Norridge – who joined the firm three years ago – to lead its Asia Private Wealth practice, effective 1 January. The role is a newly created one.

Norridge acts for high net worth individuals, their families, private banks and other advisors trust and probate issues, together with charitable and family company matters.

Since he joined the firm in 2011, he has worked with Asia managing partner Mark Johnson and Hong Kong-based head of litigation, Gareth Thomas, to grow the private wealth practice.

“Richard's appointment is timely, with the Asia Pacific region now one of the fastest growing private wealth markets in the world. Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management, joint publishers of the 2013 World Wealth Report, noted that the Asia Pacific is second only to North America for the number of high net worth individuals, and is set to take first place in the near future,” the law firm said in a statement.

Herbert Smith Freehills operates from more than 20 offices in the Asia-Pacific, EMEA and North America regions.