LAW firm Watson Burton has announced the appointment of corporate lawyer LESTER WILSON as a partner.

He joins from Hammonds, in Leeds, where he was a corporate finance partner.

Mr Wilson specialises in mergers and acquisitions, stock market listings, corporate fund-raising and investment, corporate restructuring and reorganisations, takeovers, joint ventures and private equity and venture capital transactions.

Andrew Hoyle, Watson Burton senior partner, said: "Lester has the drive, talent and track record we look for in our partners.

He has quickly gained a reputation for the effectiveness of his work, and has been involved in some major national and international transactions."

Mr Wilson recently advised Vp plc on its £19.5m acquisition of Trax Portable Access, and the £70m public-to-private deal of Silentnight.

He also acted for the shareholders of Bon Marche in its £60m sale to Peacocks plc.

Mr Wilson was brought up in Middlesbrough, and graduated with a first class honours degree in law from Brunel University before beginning his training with Hammonds. He lives near Wetherby, in West Yorkshire.