International law firm Ince Group is building up its new financial advisory service in the Middle East with the appointment of Duncan Sawyer.
The chief financial officer of Dubai ship operator Al-Iraqia Shipping Services & Oil Trading (AISSOT) is now joint managing director of consulting practice Ince Consultancy Middle East.
Sawyer will share the role with Knut Mathiassen in Abu Dhabi.
The company was launched in September to offer consulting and financial advisory services to shipping and aviation.
The venture said it will tap into the wider Ince network and leverage experience across other key markets such as the UK, Europe and Asia.
Sawyer joined AISSOT in 2018. The company is a joint venture formed by Arab Maritime Petroleum Co (AMPTC) and Iraqi Oil Tanker Company (IOTC) to operate VLCCs.
Before this, the executive was CFO at Dubai-based tanker owner Gulf Navigation. He has also held executive roles at Carisbrooke Shipping and Drydocks World Dubai.
Ince describes Sawyer as "an experienced consultant with an impressive track record across the maritime and corporate finance industry."
"He has considerable experience advising on finance raising and financial restructurings across the maritime sector," the law firm added.
The move marks yet more growth in the London-headquartered firm's international network, which has expanded this year by taking over businesses in Singapore and Cyprus.
Experience vital
Sawyer specialises in sourcing maritime vessel finance across a range of transaction types.
"His experience, along with our growing capability and service offering in the region, will enable our clients to receive an ever greater level of service," said Mark Tantam, global head of consulting at Ince Group.
Sawyer said the new office in the region allows the group to capitalise on many opportunities.
The new recruit added: "I very much look forward to working closely with Knut and providing clients with the ability to source and access capital for their vessels, and providing practical specialist maritime finance sector knowledge and experience."
