Hill Dickinson sails into Singapore
Law firm Hill Dickinson, based in Manchester, Chester and Liverpool, is to open a new office in Singapore to service its growing number of shipping clients in the region.
The company said the expansion reflects its increasing activity in the Asia Pacific region and builds upon its global reputation for marine work. The firm already has an office in the port of Piraeus in Greece, the country's largest harbour.
The firm now employs 1,113 people worldwide with 712 at the Liverpool headquarters and 177 in its Manchester office.
The firm's expansion into Singapore will be led by partner and master mariner Tony Goldsmith who will be joined by associate, Andrew Lee. Further appointments of experienced lawyers will also be made from the local market.
Peter Jackson, managing partner, added: "It is a bold step to open a new office in the current economic market and this demonstrates our commitment to invest in the firm's future. We have based the model for the business on our successful operation in Piraeus and having a team on the ground will enable us to be on hand to attend casualties and urgent situations immediately. Our presence in Singapore further reinforces the firm's international connections and supports the City's drive for increased global connectivity and inward investment internationally."
He added: "We have many clients throughout Asia and there is a strong opportunity to build on business in this region. Having a full-service presence from Singapore puts us in a good, central location from which we can service much of Asia, and growth in this area is key to our business plans for 2009 and beyond. As a firm we excel at marine and insurance work and we know that our clients will derive a great benefit from our direct presence in what is one of the world's busiest shipping locations."
