Keith Froud has taken over as chief executive and global co-CEO at Eversheds Sutherland (International), as his predecessor, Lee Ranson, relocates to Dubai.
Froud was elected to the role in September 2024 and begins his four-year term from May 2025. The election was uncontested.
He was formerly managing partner of Eversheds Sutherland (International), a role he held since May 2017. He was head of corporate and commercial from 2011 until 2017.
Froud will work alongside Lino Mendiola, who assumed his position as global co-CEO and US chief executive in April 2025.
“I am proud to have succeeded Lee Ranson as chief executive of Eversheds Sutherland (International),” said Froud. “Building on the firm’s strong trajectory, my ambition is to create even greater success for our clients and our people. I am also pleased to be working with Lino Mendiola as global co-CEO and look forward to launching our new global strategy with him in the coming months.”
Ranson has relocated to Dubai to take up a new role following the completion of his second management term. Ranson, who become the firm’s co-CEO in 2017 and was re-elected to the position in 2021, will continue as a partner at the firm with the aim of developing its seven offices across the region.
Commenting at the time of Froud’s election, Ranson said:
“Keith has been an outstanding managing partner over the past eight years, and I have every confidence in his ability to lead the firm in this next period. His extensive leadership qualities and experience and strategic vision and drive made him the natural choice for the role.”
Eversheds Sutherland (International) also confirmed several existing and new leadership, practice, and sector group roles across the firm, including Rebecca Copley to senior partner of the Dubai office. She remains head of litigation and dispute management for the Middle East.
