Clifford Chance has named co-head of corporate Anselm Raddatz as its new head of private equity in Germany.

It is understood that the appointment was made following the retirement of former PE head Christopher Kellett earlier this year.

Raddatz will continue as co-head of corporate with Thomas Krecek. Both will remain based at the firm’s Düsseldorf offices.

A Clifford Chance spokesperson said the appointment was a “natural move” after an impressive time with the firm since joining from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in October 2015.

Raddatz has advised clients including SCA and Fresenius Kabi on deals totalling more than €4bn.

His appointment bucked Clifford Chance Germany’s trend of losing high-profile partners to rivals Latham & Watkins, Pinsent Masons and White & Case.

At the time, Kellett said: “Anselm Raddatz is an outstanding addition to our German private equity practice. The private equity market and our client base are evolving rapidly, opening up new opportunities for us where Anselm will play an important role in helping strengthen and expand our leading position in the German market.”