Taylor Wessing has hired a senior partner from UK rival Osborne Clarke (OC) to head its UK technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) group.

The hire sees OC digital business sector head Mike Turner transfer to Taylor Wessing in a rare senior move between two of the UK's leading legal advisers in the technology arena.

Turner, a well-established venture capital adviser in the TMT sector, had joined OC as an equity partner in 2008 from media boutique Wiggin, where he had held managing and senior partner positions. At the time he stepped into a newly-created role, heading up the firm's internet and digital team.

He joins Taylor Wessing during an expansive period for the top 50 law firm, which last year grew its international network with the addition of large teams in Singapore and Central and Eastern Europe.

Turner will be succeeded as OC digital business head by corporate partner Adrian Bott, who has headed up the firm's business transactions group for nine years and counts Carphone Warehouse and Everything Everywhere among his clients. Head of M&A Ray Berg, meanwhile, has been elected to replace Bott, leading one of OC's core teams.

The firm started elections on Bott's successor in November. Berg was already in line to succeed Bott when Turner announced his departure.

Bott commented: "Mike deserves huge thanks for all his efforts whilst at OC and leaves as a friend. He has helped move our digital business sector group forward during his time at the firm and we shall all miss him."

Last November OC hired YouView TV's head of legal John Davidson-Kelly for its City digital business practice. Davidson-Kelly had been general counsel at YouView TV since 2010 and departed following the launch of the TV service in July.