Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired the former chairman of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) Chris Bolt as a consultant for its competition, EU and trade group.

Bolt, who joined the firm last month, has spent the last twenty years managing and shaping regulatory issues in the transport and utility sectors, most recently as the public-private partnership arbiter for the London Underground.

During his career he has worked for the Office of Water Services, gas transporter Transco, and Transco parent company Lattice Group. He was chairman of the ORR between 2004 and 2010.

BLP's competition group has 25 lawyers across its City and Brussels offices. Group head David Harrison, said: "Chris's expertise will provide valuable insights into the regulatory and policy environment for clients operating at the interface between the private and public sectors.

"Our team and the wider firm will also benefit from Chris's detailed knowledge of the transport and utility sectors, where BLP already has a strong reputation."

The firm recently added trade capability to its competition and EU practice with the hire of Gide Loyrette Nouel senior associate Vasiliki Avgoustidi as an associate director in Brussels, a hire which saw the group's name changed to competition, EU and trade.

Bolt said: "Regulation is moving up the boardroom agenda and becoming increasingly complex. I am delighted to be working with BLP, which will give me the opportunity to apply my experience across a number of different sectors and geographic areas."