Osborne Clarke bulks up in Bristol with BLP hire

Simmonds was head of BLP’s funds and financial services regulatory group. He becomes Osborne Clarke’s first dedicated funds partner and the third partner in the firm’s financial services team.

He left BLP’s London team at the end of May and will join Osborne Clarke on 20 June. He has been replaced by Antony Grossman as head of BLP’s funds team.

Simmonds’ remit at Osborne Clarke will cover all types of funds including private equity, venture capital, real estate and hedge funds.

Osborne Clarke hired David Blair from Addleshaw Goddard as head of financial regulation last month.

Financial services sector head Paul Anning said: “Tim’s hire is a major signal to the market of how committed we are to increasing our strength in those sectors and growing our market share. He’s a highly experienced lawyer with a great reputation whose leadership will significantly develop our funds practice.”