Simmons & Simmons has appointed Dan Marjanovic as a new banking partner.

Based in the firm’s Hong Kong office, Marjanovic will report to Paul Browne, head of financial markets in Asia and will focus on the growth of the international law firm’s services to its clients in Southeast Asia.

Simmons & Simmons, which has been active in Asia for over 30 years, has applied for a licence to practice in Singapore. Marjanovic tells GTR that he will relocate to Singapore to help drive growth in the region once the regulatory approvals required to open an office there is complete.

Mary Willmot, Simmons & Simmons’ regional business development manager in Asia tells GTR that: “Singapore is a strategic priority for clients in all of Simmons & Simmons’ priority sectors: – asset management and investment funds, energy and infrastructure, financial institutions, life sciences and TMT (technology, media and telecommunications). The office will initially include project development and finance, structured products and information and communications technology lawyers who will focus on international banks and corporates.”

Marjanovic joins from Norton Rose Australia, where he was a partner and leader of the firm’s banking and financial practice. He was previously based in Singapore for over 10 years, and is a qualified lawyer in the UK and in Australia. He specialises in banks, sponsors and corporate borrowers on cross-border financings.

Commenting on the appointment, Simmons & Simmons’ head of Asia, Paul Li, says: ‘‘Dan’s appointment comes as part of our ambitious growth plans in Asia. Dan’s considerable experience, particularly in Southeast Asia, means that he is extremely well placed to work with our clients in the financial institutions and energy and infrastructure sectors.’’