Buchanan Ingersoll’s embattled London office has been reduced to just two full-time partners following the departure of highly-rated insurance specialist Stephen Blair to US rival Bryan Cave.

The loss of Blair – who joined Buchanans just one year ago from Denton Wilde Sapte – is a blow to Buchanans, which last year pledged to re-focus its London operation around the practice of Blair and private equity specialist Keir Barrie.