Simmons & Simmons has boosted its offering in the Middle East with the transfer of two finance partners to the firm's Dubai base.

Banking and restructuring partner Phillip Abbott and debt capital market specialist Natalie Boyd have both made the move to the Middle East, bringing the number of finance partners in the Gulf region to five.

Middle East regional managing partner Paul Simpson said: "The firm's commitment to finance in the Gulf is clear with finance partners in each of its offices in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Having partners of Philip and Natalie's calibre relocating to the region sends a strong signal to the market."

Finance practice head Jeremy Hoyland added: "The growth we have seen in our Middle East operations is a reflection of the increasing importance of the Gulf region in the international financial markets.

"The opportunity for the firm is to spread our existing excellent relationships with leading banks operating in the region to complement our growing relationships with key local institutions."

Abott and Boyd's arrival in the Middle East follows the hire of former Clyde & Co corporate partner Vanessa Abernethy and ex-Freshfields Bruckhus Deringer finance partner Eric Milne, who both joined the firm's Dubai office in 2008.