Sydney-headquartered insurance and risk-focused law firm Wotton + Kearney (W+K) is set to open an office in Singapore in June after hiring Kennedys partners Ben Nicholson and Tom Morrison.

The Singapore office will be the 10th branch for W+K. The firm also has a presence in Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

According to a release from the firm, the new office will service the infrastructure, power generation, and renewable energy sectors, and its launch “reflects the importance of Singapore as a regional hub for the London and European insurance and reinsurance markets.”

“Our move to Singapore reflects the global nature of the insurance industry and the importance of Singapore as a regional insurance hub,” said David Kearney, chief executive partner at W+K, in a statement. “Our growth has always been client-driven and we know that an expanded Asian offering will make us a better business partner for our insurer clients which provide insurance to businesses across the region.’’

Nicholson, an insurance and reinsurance lawyer who specialises in property, energy, engineering and infrastructure risks, has experience in the Asia-Pacific region and also advises on disputes in the UK, the Middle East and North Africa. He joined Kennedys in 2015 from DAC Beachcroft, one of the firms in W+K’s network.

Morrison specialises in insurance and reinsurance law, specifically focusing on property, energy, and construction matters. His experience includes international arbitrations under ICC, LCIA and SIAC rules. After joining Kennedys in 2014, Morrison spent four years in London before moving to Singapore.

Founded in 2002, W+K now has more than 360 lawyers, including 76 partners.