A STEEL company with an annual turnover of more than £1bn has appointed North-East law firm Watson Burton to provide corporate legal advice to its European and UK companies.

Italian company Danieli is the world's largest supplier of plant and machinery to the steel industry.

Its design and construction engineers are winning major contracts in China, the UK, Europe and the US.

Watson Burton corporate law partner Philip Jordan was legal advisor and company secretary to Danieli's UK operations for ten years, before joining Watson Burton.

When he took up his appointment at Watson Burton earlier this year, Danieli also chose to move its UK and European work to the law firm.

Danieli's UK managing director John Lester, based in Sheffield, said: "Our company is now growing again strongly following a slower time in the steel industry globally.

"Our confidence in Philip and his team is also shared by our in-house legal team in Italy, with whom Philip has established a strong reputation."

Mr Jordan said: "Watson Burton has the depth of legal expertise required for a major player like Danieli. As it continues to grow, it will require specialist advice in a number of legal disciplines and in a variety of legal jurisdictions, which we can provide."