A team of insurance specialists from Australian law firm Allens are set to join Clyde & Co’s new offices in Sydney and Perth.

The new offices will open on October 1, 2012.

Joining the firm’s Sydney office is John Edmond, former group leader of Allens’ insurance and reinsurance practice, and Dean Carrigan and Oscar Shub.

Jenny Thornton, previously at Allen’s financial services, energy and natural resources, and insurance litigation group, will join Clyde & Co’s office in Perth.

Clyde & Co’s Australian practice will initially be mainly contentious and have a strong focus on insurance and reinsurance, the firm says.

The firm’s CEO Peter Hasson says: “Australia is an immensely attractive market with a robust and diversified economy. The country has a growing insurance industry and continues to experience a boom in the natural resources, infrastructure and construction sectors. It is also an important base for servicing the Southeast Asia region and a presence in Australia will help us achieve critical mass.”

Clyde & Co’s management board partner James Burns adds: “The Australian insurance market is highly dynamic and underwriters based in Australia are writing business all over the wider Asia Pacific region. We have the opportunity to increase the work we currently do for some of our key insurance clients, whilst expanding our reach across Asia.”

Meanwhile, Simon McConnell, former head of Allen’s Hong Kong disputes practice, and Mun Yeow, a specialist in professional in indemnity and financial lines disputes have joined Clyde & Co’s Hong Kong office.

Matthew Skinner, former head of Allen’s disputes practice will join Clyde and Co’s Singapore office, along with Ian Stewart, who previously worked in the corporate in Allen’s merger and acquisitions, insurance, natural resources and transport team.