Hammonds’ highly regarded sports practice has been rocked after the second partner in the space of two months has quit, with sponsorship partner Andy Korman joining sports boutique Couchman Harrington Associates.

Couchmans’ raid follows Bird & Bird‘s swoop for sports department head Jonathan Taylor in August.

Korman specialises in advice to sports clubs, agencies and sponsors on event management and endorsement contracts. He advised Gillette on its £40m sponsorship deal with David Beckham.

Korman’s departure leaves Hammonds’ UK sports team with two partners, comprising employment partner Andrew Osbourne and football specialist Alisdair Bell.

The move will see Korman reunited with Nic Couchman and Dan Harrington, who worked with him at sports practice Townleys. Couchman and Harrington left before the 2001 merger with Hammonds to set up their own boutique.

Couchman corporate partner Satish Khandke and broadcasting specialist Jon Higton were also at Townleys.