DAC Beachcroft (DACB) has hired a team of two partners and four associates from the London office of US firm Sedgwick, ahead of its closure in January.

Sedgwick London international property and casualty team head Mark Kendall, who also led the US firm's Latin America group, and litigation dispute partner Duncan Strachan will join DACB in January 2018.

Kendall's insurance and reinsurance practice has a focus on international casualty, product recall and liability work in sectors including food, automotive and pharmaceutical. Strachan acts for insurance clients on litigation defence and coverage issues in Europe and Latin America.

The two partners will be joined by senior associates Lucy Dyson and Sarah Hennessy and associates Alison Thompson and Kayleigh Stout, as well as a non-fee earner.

DACB managing partner David Pollitt (pictured) said: "By leveraging our strong insurance platform, this talented new team will be able to help us to attract even more of the complex, high-value work with which our clients entrust us both in London and also internationally, particularly in Latin America."

DACB head of insurance Helen Faulkner added: "The latest acquisition forms part of our continuing drive to further strengthen and expand both our offering and our client base in one of the most important parts of our business and to fulfil our commitment to being the leading legal adviser to London market clients."

Last week, RPC announced a double partner hire from Sedgwick's London office, as the US firm prepares to wind down operations. Insurance partner Naomi Vary, who has a focus on political risk, terrorism insurance and trade credit, is set to join alongside professional indemnity partner Karen Morrish.

The exits to RPC and DACB leave only two partners in Sedgwick's London arm to find a new home.

Legal Week previously reported that Clyde & Co was also in talks to take on Sedgwick lawyers in London. It emerged earlier that Clydes is also in discussions to hire up to 25 Sedgwick partners across the US West Coast as well as talking to a number of individuals elsewhere.

The West Coast partner count includes insurance litigation partner Bruce Celebrezze and Alexander Potente from Sedgwick's San Francisco office, who will join Clydes in January.