Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) has made two senior partner hires from Manches and Stephenson Harwood.

Paul Howick, currently Stephenson Harwood’s head of insurance and reinsurance, will join DAC in April. His practice spans the insurance sector, shipping and energy, as well as corporate restructuring and insolvency.

Meanwhile Manches partner Ross Risby has already moved to DAC, bringing with him an extensive professional indemnity practice that focuses on barristers but covers a wide range of professions.

Risby also has insurance and general commercial litigation expertise.

Danny Gowan, DAC’s executive partner, said that the firm was committed to growing its insurance practice. He added that a similar growth strategy was underway in the construction and property department, which is also looking for lateral hires.