Qatar Financial Centre Authority
Bob Wigley, chairman of Yell Group and former chairman of Merrill Lynch Europe, Middle East and Africa, has been appointed as a non-executive director of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority. In the new role, Wigley, who was appointed as an ambassador for UK business by David Cameron in 2011, will promote Qatar to the global fund management industry as a regional hub for asset management. He is also chairman of Expansys and Stonehaven Search, and a non-executive director of Orca Exploration.
Akin Gump
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has hired Tim Pearce and Ian Meade, formerly of Simmons & Simmons, to its London office. Pearce and Meade specialise in the launch of hedge funds and funds of hedge funds, and will work with the firm’s funds teams and clients in New York, Washington DC, Dallas, Abu Dhabi and Beijing.
GreySpark Partners
The capital markets consultancy has opened its new office in Hong Kong, to be led by Andrew McLauchlan, partner and managing director, Asia Pacific. McLauchlan was previously based in London as a partner at the firm.
Gowlings
The Canadian law firm has poached six members of the equity capital markets team of Cobbetts to join its London office. Andrew Wright, Charles Bond, Sefton Collett and Dominic Prentis join as partners, with senior lawyers Susan Johnston and David Brennan.
Vanguard
Simon Vanstone has joined the fund manager as head of its European institutional business. Vanstone was previously European chief executive and chief marketing officer for AXA Rosenberg.
Eversheds
Tim Armsby, a partner and energy infrastructure specialist at Trowers & Hamlins, has been hired as a partner across Eversheds’ Middle East offices.
Mercer
The HR consultancy has appointed infrastructure specialist Toby Buscombe as a principal in its alternatives boutique. Buscombe joins from Australia-based consulting and asset management boutique Access Capital Advisers.
Loch Associates
The employment law practice has appointed Dean Jones as a partner to lead its City-based London office. Jones previously worked at Bird & Bird and specialises in employment law.
Eros International
The Indian film group has appointed Michael James Kirkwood as a non-executive director. Kirkwood is currently chairman of Ondra Partners and Circle Holdings.
