Herbies’ Paris finance boss returns to BNP Paribas in global GC role

Dirani will leave Herbert Smith in May and take up the new post in July.

He won the role after ­acting as BNP Paribas’ ­relationship partner at ­Herbert Smith, having begun his legal career at the bank in 1987.

In his new post, Dirani will work alongside head of legal Jean-Louis Guillot as part of an initial transition period until 1 October 2010, when Guillot becomes adviser to the group’s ­executive management.

Dirani joined Herbert Smith in 2000 as head of international banking and finance after a spell at ­Linklaters.

Before going into private ­practice Dirani was director of legal affairs at Deutsche Bank in Paris. Before that he spent five years in BNP Paribas’ legal department.

Herbert Smith senior partner David Gold said: “We congratulate Georges on this prestigious appointment, wish him every ­success in his new role and look forward to maintaining our links with him.”

Paris finance partners Regis Oreal and Jacques Bertran de Balanda will take over from Dirani as BNP Paribas ­relationship partners at Herbert Smith, but the firm has yet to name a new Paris banking and finance head.

Dirani declined to ­comment.