Sector developments and company hires

DBRS Morningstar has appointed two new independent non-executive members to its board of directors – Joseph M. Donovan and Katherine L. Frey. Both industry veterans, Donovan presently serves in similar roles on the board of directors at STORE capital and Trip Rail Holdings. Frey previously held role of md at Moody’s, and before this worked on municipal finance, derivatives and leveraged loan markets as an investment banker at JP Morgan for over ten years.

In other news..

EMEA

Mayer Brown has promoted Neil Hamilton to partner within its banking and finance practice in London. With more than 25 years of experience across a wide array of asset classes, the firm hopes Hamilton will make not only a good addition to the structured finance team but enhance the growth of the firm’s practice. Hamilton joined the firm as a consultant at the end of last year, and prior to this served as partner at several firms including FisherBroyles, CMS UK, and Jones Day.

North America

King and Spalding has recruited another new finance partner, Sheel Patel. Joining the firm from Jones Day where he served as partner, Patel will join the firm’s corporate, finance and investments (CFI) practice group in the New York Office. With over 10 years of experience dealing with complex commercial financial transactions across several industries, the firm hopes the new hire will offer further value to its practice and expand its offering to clients.