Gómez-Acebo in London leap after global review

Gómez-Acebo & Pombo has named project finance partner Fermín Garbayo Renouard as head of the firm's new London office in anticipation of a September launch.

The Spanish firm will launch its City office in Mansion House, taking a 200 sq m space. Garbayo will move along with two or three associates. He will concentrate on the Spanish law aspects of project finance, M&A and private equity deals.

Partner Fernando de las Cuevas said: "The importance of London as a marketplace is a fact. A lot of clients want to have a direct line to lawyers in London."

The firm wants to strengthen its ties with more Spanish companies, which make up around 40 per cent of its client base. Last year Gómez-Acebo hired consultancy Accenture to conduct a strategic review of its geographical presence, including the management of its seven Spanish offices.

De las Cuevas said: "We're going office by office reviewing our practices and may be putting more strategic weight on some than others.

"In Andalucia we've had two offices for historical reasons. We're thinking of strengthening the presence in Malaga at the cost of Seville."