Eversheds has hired veteran Berwin Leighton Paisner partner Cathryn Vanderspar as its new City tax chief, replacing the departing Clive Jones.

Jones has left Eversheds along with the head of its international real estate group William Naunton to set up a high-end real estate boutique together.

The pair handed in their notices earlier this year with a view to setting up the boutique in 2015 after serving out their one-year notice periods.

Vanderspar (pictured), who joined Eversheds as London head of tax on Monday, has a practice spread across both funds and real estate tax work. Her funds work has focused on unauthorized and authorized funds and listed vehicles across various asset classes including real estate, debt and private equity.

Her real estate work includes both direct and indirect structuring across areas such as development and joint ventures. She also works on inward investment across the healthcare, residential and hotel sectors.

Jones, who came to Eversheds from Clifford Chance in 2008, had served as head of the London tax team since 2011.