Hammond Suddards Edge has hired Addleshaw Booth & Co property partner Paul Groobey as an equity partner – a move set to secure the national firm adviser status to Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS).

Groobey is one of the 11 partners that Addleshaws in May announced were to leave the firm over the next 12 months as part of a bid to raise profits. Groobey is the sixth confirmed partner of the group to date to leave.