Lazard has benefited from its appointment as an adviser to Corus in March, with a lead role on the successful £307m (€442m) placement of shares in the Anglo-Dutch steel group alongside Cazenove.

Corus shares jumped 26.6% on Wednesday afternoon following completion of the sale to 32p each despite the share sale consisting of 40% of the steel company's market capitalisation, indicating strong demand for the offer.