Ince & Co global insurance head Joe O'Keeffe has left to join Stephenson Harwood ahead of its proposed merger with listed outfit Gordon Dadds.

West End firm Gordon Dadds announced its intention to merge with Ince earlier this month, a move that could see the firms combine to form Ince Gordon Dadds, with revenues nearing £114m. Talks over the tie-up are understood to be ongoing.

O'Keeffe, who spent more than 27 years at Ince, will join Stephenson Harwood's marine and international trade practice, advising insurers on coverage issues, casualties and disputed claims. At Ince, he oversaw some of the sector's most significant mandates, advising clients working in the commodity trading and banking sectors.

Ince has appointed London partner Kiran Soar to replace O'Keeffe as global insurance head.

Following a period of upheaval for Ince, which has included a partnership restructuring, redundancies and the replacement of senior partner Jan Heuvels, the firm last month confirmed that it was in discussions to merge with Gordon Dadds, which last year became just the second UK law firm to go public.

O'Keeffe becomes the latest in a succession of senior Ince departures this year, with competition head Philippe Ruttley joining Keystone Law this summer, and four Hamburg-based shipping partners quitting for Clyde & Co in February.

On the new hire, Stephenson Harwood marine insurance head Alex Davis said: "The marine insurance market has undergone significant changes over recent years. Adding Joe's practice to our current offering cements our position in the top tier of marine insurance coverage practices in the City, allowing us to thrive and grow in this changing landscape."