Watson Farley & Williams has hired a new banking and M&A lawyer from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

Robert Askew joins the London corporate team as a consultant and and advises on M&A, restructuring and insolvency and equity and debt investments.

Deal highlights include work for EBRD on a project finance matter for the construction, development and operation of a 108MW hydropower plant and a substation in Georgia.

Before joining the EBRD Askew had practiced at Salans.

Senior associate Svetlana Sorokina-Wilson will also join the team.