UK firm Ashurst has hired Yuan Yan, an expert in corporate transactions, as a partner in its Shanghai office from Clifford Chance, where he was a counsel.

Yuan advises private equity and corporate clients on cross-border M&A transactions, including minority/growth capital investments, joint ventures and control acquisitions in countries and regions including China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North and South America.

Yuan spent 14 years with Clifford Chance, including six in the firm’s New York office.

Following the addition of Yuan, Ashurst’s Shanghai office now has two partners.