Dentons has strengthened its Middle East banking and finance practice with the hire of a new partner in Dubai.
Ahmed Butt has joined from EY, where he was regional head of financial services law.
He brings more than 20 years of banking and finance regulatory expertise to the role. His experience includes advising on new market entry licensing applications, product regulatory analysis, cross-border promotion and regulatory investigations. He also has experience in legislative enhancement projects and banking transactions, both in conventional and Islamic finance.
“We are thrilled to have Ahmed join our team,” said Stephen Knight, partner and co-head of Dentons’ Middle East banking and finance practice. “His leadership and deep understanding of the Middle East regulatory landscape significantly enhances our regional service offerings and provide strategic value to our clients.”
Paul Jarvis, CEO of Dentons’ UK, Ireland, and Middle East region, said: “The regulatory landscape is changing very quickly in the Middle East. There is a high client demand for regulatory expertise, and we are delighted to have Ahmed on board. Ahmed will work alongside Chris Brennan, who leads our compliance and investigation practice, and Henrietta Baker, head of our fintech practice, to drive the growth of our regulatory practice.”
Prior to EY, Butt was head of financial services at Squire Patton Boggs, working across the firm’s Dubai and Riyadh offices, according to his LinkedIn profile. He was also Riyadh office managing partner and head of finance for Simmons & Simmons in the Middle East. He has also worked for Hogan Lovells across the firm’s London and Dubai offices, as well as Dentons, marking a return for him to the firm.
“I am delighted to be returning to Dentons,” said Butt, who focuses on key markets including Saudi Arabia, mainland UAE, DIFC, ADGM, and Qatar. “The firm’s global reputation in the financial services sector and expansive footprint across the Middle East provides a fantastic platform from which to serve clients.”
