Clyde & Co is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Nash, a senior marine and commercial litigation/arbitration specialist, to the role of Managing Partner for the firm's Singapore office. He will also help lead the future growth and development of the firm's Asia region practice as a member of the firm's Asia Regional Board.
Brian has been with Clyde & Co for over 25 years, during which he served four years on the firm's elected Global Management Board and five years as joint Head of Shipping in London. Brian also spent five years in the Middle East as Head of Dispute Resolution, where he played a lead role in strengthening the firm's growing presence in the region, sitting on the firm's Middle East Regional Board, as well as being integrally involved with developing the firm's links into India. He was additionally the relationship partner for two of the firm’s largest energy clients.
Brian's relocation from London to Singapore marks the latest in a series of significant developments including senior internal relocations, lateral hires and partner promotions into Clyde & Co's Asia region office network. The last 12 months alone have seen partner numbers in Asia grow from 12 to 23, while total regional headcount rose to reach over 200.
Other recent senior internal relocations into Asia have included Michael Parker, another former Clyde & Co Global Board member, as Managing Director, Asia-Pacific and Hong Kong; and Andrew Holderness, Clyde & Co's global head of corporate insurance, who has been spending increasing amounts of time in Asia helping insurance clients develop their underwriting operations across the region.
The recent high profile merger between Clyde & Co and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert in November 2011, the largest ever merger between UK law firms, has also significantly impacted the firm's presence in the region, effectively doubling the size of the firm overnight and adding a series of extremely strong practices. The combined firm in Asia now boasts an unrivalled reputation in dispute resolution and insurance, as well as expanded capabilities in corporate, commercial, employment and construction. The merged firm has a team of more than 110 lawyers across its network of offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore and is one of the largest international practices in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
A strong campaign of senior lateral hires has also been undertaken. Recent examples include the arrival of Ian Cocking, who joined from Minter Ellison in Hong Kong to launch and lead Clyde & Co's regional construction and infrastructure practice, followed by fellow construction partner Gilbert Kwok who joined from Stephenson Harwood. Also in Hong Kong, Paul Jebely joined from Ashurst to spearhead Clyde & Co's regional aviation finance offering, while marine, energy and trade partner Andrew Horton arrived from Reed Smith Richards Butler to start BLG's marine practice in Hong Kong. Insurance specialist Antony Sassi and marine disputes specialist Gary Yin were both promoted to the respective partnerships.
In Shanghai, Michael Cripps joined from Insurance Australia Group (IAG) – Australia’s largest publicly-listed P&C insurer, where he held the role of Group General Counsel for five years, before which he was a partner at Allens Arthur Robinson in Shanghai. Michael's arrival to the Shanghai office was further strengthened with the internal promotions of corporate insurance specialist Carrie Yang and corporate and employment specialist Matthew Durham to partner.
The merger and recent senior appointments in Asia underscore Clyde & Co's long-term international strategy and commitment to invest and grow its practice in the Asia-Pacific region.
Michael Parker, Managing Director Asia-Pacific said: “Clients are looking for a law firm that offers a comprehensive service. With an ever more integrated practice across Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai, the firm will cover the main litigation and arbitration centres in Asia. The appointment of Brian enhances our dispute resolution offering to clients, which is a key priority to the firm. This is a very exciting time for us and these developments are just the start of many more to come in the Asia Pacific region.
Lisa Foley, Clyde & Co's Asia COO also added: "Brian's arrival is a welcome addition and another piece in building a strong management structure in Asia to support the newly merged firm. It further reflects the level of investment the firm has been making in the region. Asia is strategically very important for Clyde & Co and our clients, being a high profile hub for insurance and international trade. The next phase of development, planning and implementation for the firm is already underway."