U.K.-based Ashurst has established a consulting arm, hiring a chief operating and strategy officer from Deloitte to lead its risk advisory business.

Ashurst Consulting, a new business line that will provide specialist consulting services that complement the firm's core legal services, will initially operate in Australia, the firm said.

Philip Hardy, who is launching the consulting arm, had been a partner at Deloitte since 2008 and headed the firm's Australian governance, regulation and conduct advisory business.