DWF announces Riyadh as its regional headquarters

DWF announces Riyadh as its regional headquarters

UK's award-winning law firm unveils new legal alliance

Davies Wallis Foyster, abbreviated to DWF in 2007, has reshuffled its operations in the Middle East by announcing the creation of a regional headquarters for its business services arms in Riyadh. It has also formed an alliance with local law firm Al-Ohaly & Partners to boost its legal division in Saudi Arabia.

The Riyadh office becomes the Manchester-based firm's third in the region, adding to its existing presence in Doha and Dubai. It is a part of the Kingdom's push to become a regional commercial hub under the Future Investment Initiative by licensing 44 international companies, including DWF, to open regional headquarters in Riyadh.

Terming the deal as a step forward, DWF's CEO, Sir Nigel Knowles said the firm would build its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to not only support the government, but also the business community as a trusted advisor."

DWF Arabia and Al-Ohaly & Partners would work closely with DWF's existing teams in Doha and Dubai as well as its wider international network to expand its local footprint, he added.

Under the new plan, the Riyadh office will house the firm's business services divisions, Mindcrest and Connected Services, as DWF Arabia.

Mohab Khattab, who joined the firm as CEO, will lead the new entity. Khattab served as general counsel of the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company. Having over two decades of experience as a lawyer and business development executive, his fields of practice are - the energy, financial services and telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) sectors.

Meanwhile, DWF's legal services division will operate in Riyadh through a tie-up with Al-Ohaly & Partners, led by former Clyde & Co associate Abdulrahman Al-Ohaly. The firm will focus on advising local clients on dispute resolution, corporate and banking and finance matters.