Simmons & Simmons is expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia, after Jeddah-based Hammad & Al-Mehdar, its partner in the kingdom for the past three years,  said it is looking to launch in Riyadh by October.

The new office, which is awaiting regulatory approval, will focus on asset management and investment funds, energy and infrastructure, finance, life sciences and telecoms, media and technology.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, is the main financial and administrative centre of the kingdom.

Andrew Wingfield, partner and head of Simmons & Simmons in the Middle East, said in a statement that the new office in Riyadh was a natural step forward for Simmons & Simmons to build on its alliance in the Gulf’s largest economy, as many of the firm’s clients already have operations in Riyadh.