Barlows spearheads growth in Asia with Singapore launch

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert is opening an office in Singapore as part of its planned expansion in Asia.

The new venture will be headed by aviation specialist David Johnston, formerly head of Beaumont & Son’s Singapore office. Johnston is a qualified solicitor in Australia as well as England and Wales, and has extensive experience dealing with all aspects of aerospace work, including insurance and litigation.

Richard Dedman, Barlows’ senior partner, said that the firm’s aviation practice is seeing significant growth in Asia Pacific.

He added: “The opportunity of David spearheading a practice for us in Singapore is just too good to miss. It maybe doesn’t complete the jigsaw, but it is another important piece to the Asia Pacific jigsaw that we’re already creating.”

Barlows has well-established offices in both Hong Kong and Shanghai, employing more than 20 lawyers. It has gained a reputation for insurance and reinsurance expertise in the region, as well as providing commercial and dispute resolution services.

The move comes as other Anglo-Saxon firms are reviewing their Asian operations. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is downsizing its Singapore office, while in April, Denton Wilde Sapte announced a mass withdrawal from the region.

Meanwhile the founder of Beaumont & Son’s Singapore office Philip Bass is returning to the island. He will be joined by Peng Lim as second partner, exchanging places with David Clark who returns to London.