Addleshaw Goddard corporate head Phillip Goodstone is to join EY to help launch the auditors' push into the UK legal market.

The hiring of an M&A specialist marks a new chapter in accountancy firms' recent efforts to enter the legal market, and comes as EY seeks approval for an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) license.

A spokesperson for the auditor, formerly known as Ernst & Young, said: "We can confirm that EY has appointed Philip Goodstone, who will be joining the firm as a partner in September.

"The appointment has been made with a view to building a legal capability for EY in the UK, subject to regulatory approval, which would complement the firm's existing service offerings."

The move by EY into UK legal services comes as the accountancy giant extends its reach into legal business services across Asia and mainland China.

Earlier this month, Legal Week reported EY is hoping to expand its legal offering to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea and Indonesia, subject to regulatory requirements.

"We have a desire to be in all of the significant jurisdictions," said Howard Adams, who is spearheading the venture and who has since been appointed head of legal at EY for the region.

Goodstone, who has spent 17 years at Addleshaws, will be replaced as corporate division managing partner by private equity head Yunus Seedat.

"We will be sorry to see Phil go, and understand that the opportunity to take his career in a different direction was one he didn't feel able to turn down," commented Paul Devitt, who is due to step down as Addleshaws managing partner next month. "We wish him every success."

"[Yunus] is very well known and respected in the market and will have a critical role to play in building on the progress made under Phil's leadership."

Goodstone's departure comes amid a reshuffle of Addleshaw Goddard's senior management, after managing partner elections were brought forward a year by Devitt's decision to stand down.

In January, PwC Legal signalled its intention to increase its share of the legal market, after it was awarded dual ABS licences by the Solicitors' Regulation Authority (SRA).

The award potentially brings PwC Legal's 2,000 lawyer network under the control of the auditing firm.