Womble Bond Dickinson has strengthened its banking practice with the appointment of Nicola Walker, who joins the firm as a legal director. Nicola will be based in London and work across the firm's financial institutions sector team to grow WBD's asset finance offering.

Nicola is a finance lawyer with an excellent knowledge and understanding of the commercial considerations and drivers of equipment lessors and financiers. She has over 10 years' experience working as in-house counsel for Barclays, where she recently headed up its asset finance legal team, having worked initially in private practice in the City in the same field.

Nicola will work closely with Graham Jeffries, head of Asset Finance at WBD, to further develop and enhance the firm's asset finance proposition, with particular focus on equipment leasing, dealer and wholesale stock financing and contract receivables.

Commenting on her appointment, Nicola said:

"WBD has an excellent reputation in advising asset finance lessors and financiers and I look forward to bringing my experience and strong track record to work with those clients and to develop WBD's asset finance offering further across the UK."

Graham Jeffries added:

"We are delighted to welcome Nicola to the firm and to our growing asset finance practice. Her experience as an in-house asset finance lawyer in one of the UK's largest banks, will strengthen our team and enhance our offering to clients."

John Connor, partner and head of WBD's banking's team said:

"It is an exciting period of growth for the banking team. Our recent hire of Chris McLauchlan in Edinburgh to provide Scots law finance advice and Nicola's appointment in London to provide asset finance advice, demonstrates our intention to attract key specialists to our banking team to grow our UK presence and better serve the needs of our clients."

Ranking in the UK's top 20 law firms, WBD has a strong focus advising financial institutions with a client portfolio that includes some of the largest banks, fintechs and other organisations in the sector. As a transatlantic law firm with 19 offices in the US and seven in the UK, including London, WBD is able to provide the knowledge, experience and legal expertise to help clients balance their commercial and regulatory needs on a national and international scale.