Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Nasser Al-Hamdan as its new global head of Islamic finance. The appointment became effective on 1 February 2017.
Nasser’s new responsibilities will be in addition to his ongoing role of developing and running the firm’s Saudi practice as managing partner in Riyadh.

Regarded as a highly respected corporate lawyer, Nasser advises on both corporate and capital market transactions in Saudi Arabia, specialising in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and investment funds, as well as foreign direct investment into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Jason Ricketts, Global Head of Finance, Real Estate and Projects, added: “I am extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Nasser Al-Hamdan as Herbert Smith Freehills’ new Global Head of Islamic Finance.  Nasser brings with him a tremendous amount of experience in advising clients in complying with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence, or the Shari’ah as it is often referred to, and in reaching a successful commercial outcome for all parties concerned within these mandates.”

The appointment reaffirms Herbert Smith Freehills’ plans to expand its Global Islamic Finance practice, and follows the recent announcement that the firm will open in Kuala Lumpur in May 2017. The new office will contribute massively to other existing Islamic finance practices in various Herbert Smith Freehills’ offices around the globe with partners skilled in this area working in Kuala Lumpur on a regular basis.

In addition, Herbert Smith Freehills has been awarded “Best Law Firm in Banking” at the Islamic Finance News Law Firm Awards ceremony held on the 28^th February 2017 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dubai.

Zubair Mir, Managing Partner for the Middle East, Herbert Smith Freehills commented: “Our team have been instrumental in developing Islamic Finance products for over 15 years – this award cements our work in this arena and is indicative of Herbert Smith Freehills’ Islamic finance practice remaining at the forefront of new developments within the market.”

Islamic Finance News Law celebrates the industry’s elite recognizing excellence, achievement and leadership in the Islamic finance industry. Winners are merited on the complexity, breadth and visibility of the work undertaken within the legal fraternity – a testament to the depth and maturity of the ever-evolving Islamic finance industry.

Commenting on his appointment and the award win Nasser Al-Hamdan said: “It is an honour to have been appointed as the Global Head of the Islamic Finance practice. I am looking forward to all the exciting opportunities that are ahead of us. The award that we have won is a testament of our leading market position in advising clients in relation to Islamic finance products. Furthermore, the announcement of the new office opening that is set to take place in Kuala Lumpur demonstrates the firms continued commitment to clients in Malaysia, which has developed into a comprehensive and sophisticated Islamic finance marketplace.”