CMS is continuing its expansion in Saudi Arabia, with the hire of a technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) specialist in Riyadh.
Ken Wong joins the firm as a partner from Clyde & Co in Dubai, where he was a legal director. He previously worked in the London offices of Linklaters and Herbert Smith Freehills.
Wong brings over 12 years of experience advising on projects and transactions, including software licensing and development, hardware and infrastructure, cloud and data centre services, platform development and commercialisation, and commercial supply and distribution arrangements.
“TMT is a key growth area for the firm and for Saudi Arabia,” said Adrian Bell, partner and joint managing director for the Middle East and Asia. “With our investment in our Riyadh office, it is vital to have credible TMT capabilities on the ground to effectively serve our clients’ needs, especially given the significant investment programmes underway in Saudi Arabia.”
“Ken brings deep international experience and a strong local reputation, and his arrival will ensure that we are able to meet the demands of the market,” he said.
“Saudi Arabia’s growing economy, driven by Vision 2030, positions the country as an international hub of technology and business at the forefront of global trade,” added Wong. “As Saudi Arabia continues its transformation, numerous initiatives have been established to achieve its ambitious goals, including the development of the Public Investment Fund’s giga-projects and the creation of the Regional Headquarters programme.”
Continuing, Wong said: “Given CMS’s strong international TMT expertise, CMS offers a great platform to help clients capitalise on these opportunities and I look forward to collaborating with the global team, including in the UAE, to develop the practice across the Middle East.”
His appointment follows the addition of Rizwan Osman as head of corporate in the firm’s Riyadh office, as well as the relocation of legal director Jay Randhawa to Riyadh earlier this year.
CMS opened its Riyadh office in October 2023 following the approval of its Foreign Law Firm Licence by the Ministry of Justice, and appointed Mohammed Aldowish as the managing partner.
