Mr Lloyd arrives from fellow BigLaw firm DLA Piper, where he was global co-chair of the technology transactions and strategic sourcing group. He also served as a partner at MinterEllison for nearly two decades.

He will be part of the firm’s digital economy practice group.

“With more than 25 years’ experience in the technology, digital and telecommunications sectors, Anthony has expertise in areas including digital transformation, digital infrastructure, digital regulation, data, cyber security, commercial contracts and outsourcing,” Ashurst said in a statement.

Mr Blackburn was, most recently, the chief financial crime risk officer and group money laundering reporting officer at banking giant NAB, where he was responsible for engagement with AUSTRAC and ensuring compliance with economic sanctions across the bank’s global operations.

He will be part of Ashurst’s risk advisory practice.

“With close to two decades’ experience in senior executive roles in Australia and abroad, Steven has deep knowledge of financial crime prevention, anti-money laundering, anti-bribery, compliance and risk management in heavily regulated sectors, including financial services, hospitality and gaming,” the firm proclaimed.

The arrival of the two new partners follows the addition of corporate transactions partners Patricia Paton and Jo En Low from Bracewell LLP and Hamilton Locke, respectively, last month; the promotion of 13 Australians to the global partnership in April; the hiring of employment and safety partner Scarlet Reid from McCullough Robertson in March; and the appointment of tax partners Colin Little and Vanja Podinic from Deloitte in February.

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All up, Ashurst’s Australian offices have 20 new partners so far this calendar year.

Speaking about his new role, Mr Lloyd said: “I am thrilled to be joining Ashurst and excited by the opportunity to expand my practice with the help of the firm’s global reach. I am impressed by Ashurst’s embrace of the digital economy and the firm’s commitment to help clients seize opportunities and navigate challenges that come with rapid technological change.

“Organisations need high-level support to help them capitalise on developments in areas including artificial intelligence and tokenisation, and this need will only grow in coming years.

“Ashurst’s commercial outlook and integrated offering for legal, risk and implementation advice make it an attractive proposition for clients operating in this fast-moving environment.”

Mr Blackburn added: “I am excited to join Ashurst and help grow the firm’s financial crime, compliance and risk management advisory services. We are seeing regulators across the globe take an increasingly active approach to addressing fraud, money laundering, corruption, sanctions breaches and other areas of financial crime, and we expect levels of scrutiny to only increase.

“In such a high-stakes environment, businesses need advisers with both legal and real-world experience to help them understand and meet obligations, engage in regulatory investigations, resolve breaches and undertake remediation where required.

“Ashurst’s integrated risk advisory and legal services offering provides a compelling platform to help organisations navigate these challenges and improve governance.”