Olswang star defects to Taylor Wessing

The Olswang partner that led the UK's first-ever AIM listing of an Indian company has left the firm to join Taylor Wessing.

Howard Palmer, a partner at Olswang since 1999, joined rival Taylor Wessing at the end of January.

In December, Palmer advised Great Eastern Energy on its admission to AIM, raising £10.9m. Although Olswang consultant Toby Greenbury introduced the client to the firm, it was Palmer who headed the team on the flotation.

Palmer said Taylor Wessing's pan-European footprint had attracted him to the firm, along with its focus on providing corporate services to the technology sector and IP-rich clients. Olswang currently only has a Brussels outpost, but it has a strategic alliance with Greenberg Traurig in the US.

Palmer's practice focuses on early-stage and fast-growing clients operating in the technology and life sciences industries. He has particular expertise in venture capital, M&A, IPOs and private placings.