Ashurst has hired Baker Mckenzie's former securitisation head Jonathan Walsh.

Walsh departs after more than 12 and a half years at Bakers, having joined the international firm in 2005 with a team of partners from legacy Norton Rose.

He co-led Bakers' global securitisation group until January this year. Fellow co-head Philippe Steffens now leads the group.

Walsh's practice includes advising conduit sponsors, originators, lead managers and trustees on term and commercial paper transactions involving several jurisdictions including the UK, continental Europe, Australia and South Africa.

Ashurst global markets head Michael Logie said: "Jonathan's appointment is a further step in the development of our European securitisation offering, and builds on the firm's continued investment in what we see as an important market and growth area. 2017 was a good year for securitised products and 2018 is expected to continue on an upwards trajectory with a strong pipeline of activity, and with the new team in place we look forward to capitalising on these opportunities."

Walsh is the second securitisation partner Ashurst has hired from Bakers in the past 12 months. In August 2017, the firm hired Bakers Germany and Austria banking and finance head Martin Kaiser in Frankfurt.

Earlier this month, Ashurst also hired Clifford Chance securitisation senior associate Tom Picton, who joined the firm as a partner.

A Baker McKenzie spokesperson said: "I can confirm that Jonathan Walsh, a partner in our Structured Capital Markets Group, is leaving the firm on 31 May. We wish him well with the next phase of his career."