Simmons & Simmons has boosted its London office with the hire of partner and U.K. head of banking and finance Kirsty Barnes from Gowling WLG.

Barnes joins from Gowling after more than 13 years at the firm as partner.

Her practice focuses on mid-market transactions in the London market, and notable achievements include advising Santander Growth Fund on a number of transactions, according to her Gowling profile.