Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has appointed former secretary of state for energy and climate change, Ed Davey, as a consultant.

Davey (pictured), who was a Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton from 1997 to 2015, served a three year term as energy secretary in the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition which ended in May.

At HSF he will serve as a consultant to the energy group, joining his brother Henry Davey who also works in the energy group as a corporate partner.

However, there are no conflicts of interest as Davey will not advise on any client matters including the Swansea Bay tidal project or Hinkley Point.

HSF is advising sponsor Tidal Lagoon on regulatory matters on the Swansea Bay energy project approved by the UK government in June.

In 2014, HSF won a role advising EDF Energy on building a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in Somerset.

Davey will work closely with sector co-heads John Baldson (London finance), Anna Howell (London corporate) and Rob Merrick (Perth corporate). The firm has 75 partners focusing on the energy sector. The co-heads were appointed in May to replace former sector head Mark Newbery. 

Davey, who has been hired on a short-term contract, said his experience working in government demonstrated "how rapidly global energy policies, markets and technologies are developing" resulting in increased demand from investors and industry for legal and policy advice. He added:

"Without these, we won't foster the level of business confidence needed during the world's unprecedented and unpredictable energy transition."

Merrick said: 

"We will be using Ed to speak to clients about energy policy, particularly renewable energy, as we strongly believe that thought leadership in the sector is what differentiates us with clients. He won't be talking directly to clients on particular mandates as he is not in a lobbying role."

HSF is currently involved in a range of other energy and infrastructure projects including the Thames Tideway Tunnel and the Hinkley Point nuclear power station in Somerset.

Davey will chair and speak at a series of events at HSF starting with the 'Investing in UK Renewables' seminar today (15 September) at the firm's London office.

The hire follows two recent departures from HSF's energy team. In February, Latham & Watkins hired London corporate partner Simon Tysoe who specialises in oil & gas and counts oil companies BP, ExxonMobil, Petrobras and Chevron among his clients.

In March, King & Spalding hired HSF's head of energy in Southeast Asia Richard Nelson as a partner in its Singapore office.

In July, Linklaters appointed former foreign secretary William Hague to chair its newly formed International Advisory Group to work on the firm's strategy.