Olswang has seen a brace of departures in London with two partners exiting the firm to join Italy's Chiomenti and BSkyB.

Former international finance head Michael Benster has left to join Chiomenti in London, taking partner headcount in the Italian leader's London office to three.

He joined Chiomenti last month, becoming the firm's second English law partner in London. He had been at Olswang since 2004, prior to which he worked in the New York office of US firm Vinson & Elkins, and is qualified in both English and US law.

The news comes as the Italian outfit has also appointed a new London head, relocating corporate partner Massimiliano Nitti from Milan to lead the office, succeeding finance partner Claudio Lichino.

Chiomenti managing partner Filippo Modulo said: "We feel it is important to have English law capability in our London office and Michael's hire builds on that. While we will always remain an Italian law firm, we want to be able to match the practices and capabilities that Italian clients can obtain in UK firms in London in our target areas such as finance and M&A.

"We do not see ourselves growing much more in the UK; however, we will, of course, always be open to opportunities."

Meanwhile, technology, media and telecoms partner Matthew Phillips left the firm in August to join BSkyB as a principal legal adviser.

While at Olswang he acted on a number of major mandates for the BBC, one of the firm's key clients, including advising on the procurement process for the digital switchover.