Pinsent Masons boosts financial services offering in Dubai with key new hire

Bicknell, who joins as a partner, was previously a legal director in the corporate insurance and financial services team at Clyde & Co in Dubai. He has worked as a corporate and financial services lawyer for over ten years and has a deep understanding of the financial services market in the region.

Bringing a wealth of experience in insurance regulation, products and distribution, Bicknell will provide new and existing insurance and wealth management clients with regulatory and product distribution advice in the region. His specialism includes advising insurers, reinsurers, coverholders, Lloyd's syndicates, brokers and third party administrators in respect of their business throughout the Middle East.  He also has extensive expertise in advising investment and pension product issuers, international financial institutions, wealth managers and financial advisers as well as online platform operators and fintech start-ups. 

Alexis Roberts, Head of Financial Services at Pinsent Masons, said:

“Dubai has become a principal hub for financial services companies looking to undertake business in the Middle East and internationally. Many of our clients have established a base in this sophisticated and growing market and Tom's arrival strengthens our global offering to new and existing clients looking to do business in the Middle East. Tom's experience will be of huge value to our clients as we reinforce our commitment to being a market leading firm in financial services."

Michael Watson, Head of the Finance & Projects Group at Pinsent Masons, adds:

"We are delighted Tom is joining our team in Dubai. He is joining one of the fastest growing teams in Pinsent Masons working alongside insurance, wealth management, funds, regulatory and financial product experts. His expertise will further increase our capability to advise clients on regulatory, product and distribution issues in the Middle East, and provide a market leading service to our clients."

Tom's arrival follows the appointed Mohammad Tbaishat late last year. Mohammad specialises in public and private M&A, strategic joint ventures and UAE regulatory work.