Clarke Willmott is set to launch in Manchester with the hire of two intellectual property (IP) lawyers from local firm JMW Solicitors.

IP partner Roy Crozier and associate Andrew Stone will open the office on 1 November, marking the sixth UK base for the firm.

Crozier joins Clarke Wilmott as co-head of IP alongside his former colleague Paul Cox.

Cox, who took up the role of head of IP at Clarke Willmott after joining last November from SJ Berwin, trained with Crozier at Baker & McKenzie.

Clarke Willmott chief executive Stephen Rosser said "We recognised this as a great opportunity and the right thing for us to be doing at the moment, with the hires being as important as the location.

"IP is something we have been building on and growing for some time and we will be looking to expand further across the board. This year has been good for us and we are ahead of budget, so we are looking to make the most of opportunities such as this. We are looking forward to welcoming Roy and his team in November."

Rosser succeeded long-time leader David Sedgwick in the role of chief executive in May this year after Sedgwick had spent 11 years at the helm of the firm.

The new Manchester base adds to Clarke Willmott's existing offices in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton and Taunton.