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.