The board of Hogan Lovells has given its unanimous recommendation for Miguel Zaldivar (pictured) to be re-elected as the firm’s chief executive for another four-year term, starting on 1 July 2024. The move will be subject to a partner vote, which closes at the end of August.
Succeeding Steve Immelt, Zaldivar assumed the role of the firm’s CEO on 1 July 2020, after previously serving as the regional CEO for Asia Pacific-Middle East, based in Hong Kong.
In a statement confirming the board’s recommendation, Hogan Lovells chair Marie-Aimee de Dampierre, former head of the Lovells Paris office, said: ‘Miguel and his management team have delivered outstanding results over the past three years, steering our firm through turbulent and unprecedented times to achieve our highest ever financial performance, while keeping a strong focus on continuing to foster our ambitious and supportive culture. He has a clear vision and strategy, which we believe will lead us to even greater success.’
Under Zaldivar’s leadership, the firm announced ‘record’ financial results for 2021, adding $300m to its top line as revenue increased 13% from $2.3bn to $2.6bn. PEP also shot upwards 26% from $2m to $2.5m.
However, the firm’s latest financial report revealed a 7% decline in revenue to $2.43bn, alongside an 8% decrease in PEP to $2.28m. Zaldivar stressed that the firm was still performing well: “This was our second best year ever.” Last year was a record year for us,’ he told Legal Business at the time.
Zaldivar’s tenure so far has been eventful to say the least. Zaldivar assured the Legal business in March that the firm’s merger talks with Wall Street giant Shearman & Sterling had fallen through at the beginning of the month. He told LB the firm’s goal is to expand into three important US markets. He added. “And that remains true.” The firm has promoted the most partners in its history, with 58% of them being women. Last year pensions partner Faye Jarvis moved to Macfarlanes in London while M&A partner Ben Higson left to be appointed as Vinson & Elkins’ London head of corporate.