Italian boutique boosts profile with London office

Italian independent firm Negri-Clementi Toffoletto Montironi & Soci (NCTM) is set to launch an office in London.

NCTM will become the first major European firm to open in the UK capital since Spain's Gómez-Acebo & Pombo took the plunge last summer. English and Italian dual-qualified corporate partner Anthony Perotto will be sent to London for the launch, expected this July.

NCTM managing partner Vittorio Noseda said the firm would not practise English law, but instead will use the office to assist clients in London and improve relationships with UK and US firms.

"It's time to increase our visibility," said Noseda. "We want to be in the heart of the financial centre of the world. Around 70 per cent of investment decisions in Europe go through London so we want to be there."

NCTM advises British Telecom and Dell on their dealings in Italy, as well as Italian car company Ferrari.

NCTM will occupy the top floor of a six-storey building off Lombard Street in the City, with room for 15 employees. The firm will open with one partner and four associates.

Lombard Street is where the first Italian banks had offices in the 13th century after King Edward I granted them land in London.

Noseda, who comes from Lombardy in Italy, said: "The Lombards are getting back to their medieval roots. That should bring us a bit of luck."