HFW—Simon Petch

Global sector-focused law firm HFW has expanded its global shipping practice with the hire of ship finance partner Simon Petch in London. He brings nearly 30 years’ experience advising banks, financiers, owners and operators on debt, leasing, securitisation, structured finance and other non-contentious maritime matters.

Petch has previously spent more than three years in Athens and over nine years in Singapore, returning to London in 2021. His arrival follows recent additions to the firm’s shipping group in Australia and Greece, strengthening its non-contentious maritime and ship finance offering amid growing client demand.

Paul Dean, global head of shipping, said: ‘Simon is a well-known and highly respected operator in the ship finance world,’ adding that ‘his practice is an excellent fit for our transactional shipping team’ and that he ‘will play an important role in helping us support clients across the full maritime services spectrum’.

Petch said: ‘HFW is recognised globally as the pre-eminent maritime law firm,’ describing the firm’s ‘collaborative, full-service approach within shipping’ as ‘a natural fit for my practice’ and ‘an exceptional platform to deliver even greater value to clients’.