Addleshaw Goddard corporate partner Neal Shepherd has joined PwC as the accountancy giant looks to continue its march into the legal market by targeting regional talent.

Shepherd, who specialises in private equity work and M&A, will be based in PwC's Manchester office as the firm looks to expand in the North of England in particular.

His practice will focus on mid-market M&A, but he will also target areas that complement PwC's existing business, such as employment and pensions work.

Shirley Brookes, senior partner at PwC Legal, said: "Neal has a fantastic track record and will help us grow the business in areas that fit with PwC and PwC Legal's combined strength. He has a strong deals background and will also help expand our broader business, where we're seeing growing demand in areas such as pensions."

The appointment follows a number of recent senior hires by PwC Legal, the latest being McDermott Will & Emery's Mark Crofskey, who will lead the PwC Legal's M&A team in London. 

Crofskey's appointment came on the back of former Fieldfisher partner Stewart Room's arrival in September to lead the cyber security practice for the accountant's legal arm.

Separately, Addleshaws has created its first regional leadership roles, appointing office heads for its Leeds and Manchester bases.

Commercial services division head and employment partner Malcolm Pike will combine his current responsibilities with running the Manchester office, while corporate partner Tim Wheldon will take charge of the firm's Leeds base, also combining the role with his regular transactional and project work for institutional, public and owner-managed businesses across a range of sectors.

Pike, who has been a partner in the firm's Manchester office for 22 years, specialises in high-level employment and industrial relations issues.

"Formalising the head of office role is a new approach for the firm, and highlights a real commitment to our North West office and the wider business community," he said.

Pike held a position on the firm's four strong executive board until this June, when he and former banking chief Richard Papworth were reshuffled out by newly elected managing partner John Joyce.

Wheldon was with legacy Addleshaw Booth & Co between 1990 and 2002, before re-joining Addleshaws Leeds based corporate team in 2011 after working as a consultant to corporate clients in Yorkshire.

The new office heads were unelected and were also appointed by Joyce.