Magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is to create a ‘global centre’ in North America, it has emerged.

In a statement this morning, executive partner Michael Lacovara (pictured) said: ‘The demand from our clients and people means that we are now planning to establish a global centre in north America.’

The firm did not provide any further details. According to speculation, the new centre could be in Vancouver.

The news comes nearly six months after the firm signed a lease to take up 80,000 sq ft of office space as a long-term base for its low-cost services hub in Greater Manchester.

The lease, in One New Bailey, Salford, replaces the 40,000 sq ft the firm took earlier last year.

The legal and business service centre opened in July, when Freshfields relocated back-office services from its London headquarters in Fleet Street to an office in Arndale House.