Ropes & Gray has hired Travers Smith private equity partner Helen Croke.

Croke rejoins former Travers private equity head Phil Sanderson, who joined Ropes in 2014.

She trained at Travers, becoming a partner in 2008, and focuses on private equity and M&A transactions for corporations and institutional investors.

Her recent deals include acting for private equity house Bridgepoint on its acquisition of restaurant discount business tastecard and the Gourmet Society.

Mike Goetz, Ropes & Gray London managing partner, said: "Helen is one of the most outstanding lawyers of her generation and her arrival will give us further capacity to not only serve our current client base but also build on existing opportunities."

Sanderson left Travers in the summer of 2014, less than two months after a management shake-up saw Paul Dolman take over as head of the private equity group.

Croke's arrival takes Ropes to five private equity partners in London, who work with the firm's global 175-lawyer strong practice.

Following Croke's departure, Travers will have eight partners in its private equity team.

Travers managing partner David Patient said: "Helen has made an important contribution to Travers Smith's private equity practice. We will be extremely sad to see her go, but wish her all the best for the future."