Herbert Smith has strengthened its London debt capital markets (DCM) team with the hire of ex-Linklaters partner Andrew Roberts.

Roberts, who began his career as a solicitor at New Zealand firm Bell Gully, was a partner with Linklaters for 19 years until 2010, when he left to become an in-house counsel at energy company Fontenergy.

He joined Linklaters in 1986, becoming the firm's first Asia managing partner in 2000. During his time at the magic circle firm he also spearheaded the development of Linklaters' Middle Eastern practice.