Pinsents hires senior capital markets duo, anticipating market rebound

Pinsent Masons has added two senior hires from Ashurst and HSF Kramer in London as it positions for a revival in UK capital markets.

Nicholas Holmes, who helped to build Ashurst’s ECM practice into one of the City’s strongest, joins Pinsents to lead its own ECM team. Joining alongside him is ex-Sullivan & Cromwell lawyer Dinesh Banani, who leaves HSF Kramer after more than a decade to lead Pinsents’ US securities practice.

Pinsents said the duo will enable the firm "to capitalise on the expected capital markets upswing in 2026."

Capital markets comeback

The moves come amid a flicker of optimism in London’s public markets, despite a historically quiet first nine months of the year. Last week saw the £300 million IPO of The Beauty Tech Group and Fermi’s $13.8 billion dual Nasdaq-London debut - the largest in the City this year. On Monday, meanwhile, Shawbrook Bank filed an intention to float with an expected £2 billion valuation, following food group Princes which filed its intention on Friday.

The additions also continue Pinsents’ corporate growth drive, following a three-partner team move from EY in September which included three legal directors and a group of Manchester- and London-based associates.

What they said

Edward Stead, head of Pinsent Masons’ UK corporate practice, said: "I’m delighted that Dinesh and Nicholas are joining Pinsent Masons. Both have stellar reputations within their respective fields and their joining us will further strengthen our ability to deliver larger, complex equity capital markets and public company advisory mandates.

"Our continued investment in our City corporate team means we’re ready to help our clients capitalise on what’s next as the market gathers pace."