U.K. Law firm Browne Jacobson has boosted its public sector practice with the hire of senior projects partner Stephen Matthew from Nabarro LLP.

Stephen is a nationally recognised leader in the field of public sector projects, particularly in the local government arena. Stephen's vast projects expertise and experience, both national and international, includes advising on public private partnerships, outsourcing, joint ventures, asset vehicles and other forms of innovative public sector contracting. Sectors in which Stephen has market-leading experience include education, social housing, healthcare and town centre regeneration.

Recent highlights of Stephen's work include advising on the National Skills Academy (a state-of-the-art training facility for the entertainment industry in Thurrock), the Basing view regeneration scheme in Basingstoke, facilities management outsourcing for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and a Waste-to-Energy PFI project in Malaysia.

Stephen will work alongside Peter Ware, Head of the Government and Infrastructure Team and Lead Projects Partner Craig Elder, and will be based in the firm's London office.Peter Ware said:

"Stephen's appointment is a fantastic one for Browne Jacobson. He is a first class, highly experienced senior partner with a superb reputation in the sector. We are excited by the opportunities his expertise will bring to the firm. He will be a significant asset and his recruitment will complement the great strides our public sector team has made in recent years. Stephen is  a perfect fit for our existing client base both nationally and, with his work in Asia Pacific and Africa, internationally".

Stephen Matthew added:

"I am delighted to be joining the team at Browne Jacobson. The Firm has an excellent and extensive client-base, and a reputation to match. It provides the best platform for giving clients the service they want - and at a time when opportunities are many and varied."

Browne Jacobson's projects team of nine strong dedicated lawyers, including six partners, specialists in procurement, property, construction, IP, funding, tax and employment issues arising from projects for its public and private sector clients which include central government departments, local authorities, health trusts and strategic regional bodies.