Ashurst has strengthened its Milan office with the hire of a corporate team lead by Alessandro Giovannelli from Italian independent Pavia & Ansaldo.

Giovannelli, who will take over as head of Ashurst's Italian corporate practice, specialises in private equity and M&A with a particular focus on joint ventures and corporate reorganisations.

Giovanelli, who spent seven years at Allen & Overy before joining Pavia, is moving to Ashurst as part of a team of five lawyers including two of counsel – Matteo Colombari and Matteo Delucchi – and one senior associate – Fabrizio Scaparro.

Ashurst Italy managing partner Franco Vigliano said: "Alessandro is a first-rate lawyer with exceptional leadership and client skills. This is part of an ongoing plan to boost our Italian corporate practice."

The firm also recently relocated corporate partner Fabio Pizzoccheri from London to Milan, as well as hiring NCTM corporate partner Francesco De Gennaro as part of a 13-strong team to launch in Rome.

Senior partner Charlie Geffen added: "Our Italian practice has grown substantially following the opening of our office in Rome last year and we are committed to developing this further. Alessandro's appointment will further strengthen our capability in a major European financial centre."

Italian head Vigliano confirmed that the firm had achieved its aim of bulking out the corporate practice through lateral hires, and would now continue to grow organically in the jurisdiction.