Irwin Mitchell has hired Trowers & Hamlins' real estate finance head Simon Owen to lead its national banking and finance team in London.

Owen will start immediately at Irwin Mitchell after leaving Trowers on 31 December last year, and succeeds Andrew Watson, who has been the firm's banking and finance head since 2012. Watson, who will continue as a partner in the firm's banking and finance practice, is stepping down for personal reasons.

Victoria Brackett, the chief executive of Irwin Mitchell's business legal services division, said: "Simon's appointment is a great boost to our banking and finance division. As a senior banking lawyer with over 25 years' experience he brings significant banking, corporate and entrepreneurial contacts to the firm, as well as a wealth of knowledge in his field.

"Through his previous role as head of real estate finance, he will also be a great support to our expanding real estate teams, both in London and nationally."

Irwin Mitchell has made a number of hires for its real estate practice during the past 18 months, most notably former Pinsent Masons property head Adrian Barlow, who joined as national head of real estate last August.

Barlow told Legal Week: "As well as leading our banking and finance team generally, Simon will bring a greater depth of experience and expertise to our real estate finance offer, benefiting our existing clients and helping to attract new ones. He has a great number of contacts within the real estate industry that will help us to achieve our growth plans."

The firm has also hired a new head of residential property, Jeremy Raj, who previously led the residential team at London firm Wedlake Bell, and a new joint head of property litigation, Tim Rayner, who joined from Browne Jacobson in May of last year. Former Teacher Stern partner Sarah Cardew also joined in September to head up the firm's commercial tax offering.