Clifford Chance London private equity partner Simon Cooke is relocating to the firm’s Hong Kong office to work alongside Hong Kong private equity head Andrew Whan.

The pair will focus purely on private equity and will work alongside the firm’s local corporate head Roger Denny and a team of roughly ten associates.

The move comes after the magic circle firm relocated private equity funds partner Nick Clark, associate Charlotte Douglass and a junior associate to the firm’s Dubai office (21 July 2008).

Clifford Chance private equity head James Baird said: “This has been planned since last year in response to increased private equity work, in particular with CVC partners and Carlyle.

“We haven’t relocated Simon because of the affect of the credit crisis in the UK. We just need to increase our partner presence in the region.”

Last year Clifford Chance advised CVC Asia Pacific on its public-to-private acquisition of wood distributor Asia Dekor. Whan led the team advising on that deal.

On his move, Cooke said: “Having spent time in the region earlier in my career and in 2008, it’s clear that there are a wealth of opportunities for sophisticated private equity investors here.

“I look forward to helping Clifford Chance’s clients continue to take full advantage of these opportunities.”