Appleby has expanded its Jersey arm with the hire of Walkers' local corporate head James Gaudin.

Gaudin started at Appleby's Jersey office last month in the corporate and commercial practice. His arrival takes partner headcount in Appleby's corporate group to four and he will be joined by Walkers associate Simon Tait in October.

After joining Walkers in 2007, Gaudin became Jersey corporate head in 2008. The team is currently looking to develop business in the Middle East and Asia with a focus on the Chinese and Indian markets.

Gaudin said: "The move to Appleby presents a great opportunity. After establishing the banking, finance and restructuring practices at Walkers it was a great moment for me to move on.

"I will be focused on a similar portfolio of business at Appleby, with a particular emphasis on developing business in India and China."

Appleby opened up a new office in Guernsey in April this year following its Isle of Man launch in October 2009 via a merger with local firm Dickinson Cruickshank.

Walkers Jersey managing partner Hugh O'Loughlin said: "We consider the market is growing again and there are a lot more instructions. We are responding to this with a number of internal moves."