Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) have launched a London based debt securities and structured finance practice with a double hire.

Rob McBride and Siân Withey join from Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson and will focus on advising banks in activities in the firm's core sectors: energy and infrastructure, maritime, natural resources, transport and real estate.

Within the financial and corporate space in the UK WFW is best know for its finance and M&A activity in certain sectors such as energy and shipping.