DWF's London offices

DWF has hired PwC's global head of cyber security and data protection legal services, in the listed firm's latest expansive move.

Joining DWF as the new global head of its data protection and cyber security practice, Stewart Room leaves the Big Four accountancy giant after five years as a partner and leader of its data protection and cyber security practice, which he helped set up when he joined in 2014, according to a statement from DWF.

The partner hire come just a week after the firm acquired U.S.-headquartered legal and managed services business Mindcrest for $18.5m.

Prior to joining PwC, Room spent over seven years at Fieldfisher as a partner in its data protection and security practice.

He also spent close to six years as a data protection partner at Rowe Cohen Solicitors, and over eight years as a barrister — including over five at Temple Chambers, and almost three at 8 Stone Buildings.

In his new role, Room will lead the data protection and cyber security practice globally, advising clients on information management, use of data, as well as regulatory investigations and litigation arising from misuse of data.

DWF has been in fierce acquisitive form since it listed on the London Stock Exchange's main market last March. Room's hire represents the firm's latest raid of one of the Big Four accountancy firms, having last year hired former Grant Thornton associate director Darren Fisher and BDO partner Andrew Jacobs as lead directors of its new regulatory consultancy business, DWF Regulatory Consulting.

Andrew Leaitherland, chief executive officer (CEO) of DWF, said in a statement: "Stewart's experience and wealth of knowledge from advising on some of the most complex data protection issues over the years, is invaluable. Stewart will help lead and grow our data protection and cyber security practice globally and I'm in no doubt that Stewart will help propel this practice into top gear in the coming years."

PwC declined to comment.