Taylor Wessing has appointed its first India group head in a bid to increase its focus on the emerging market.

The firm, which already had an India desk but no dedicated leader for the group, said it has taken the step as part of a refreshed strategy to increase its focus on the growing opportunities for business in and out of India.

London corporate tax partner Omleen Ajimal takes up the new role on a full-time basis. She will become the firm's liaison and business development partner for India and will co-ordinate all of the firm's initiatives in the country.

She will be assisted by London partner James Robertson and Frankfurt-based partner Peter Bert, who both have India experience.

The firm said it chose Ajimal, who speaks both Hindi and Punjabi, for the position based on her existing network of contacts in the country, which she has visited frequently in her practice.

Ajimal joined Taylor Wessing in 2007 and became a partner the following year, specialising in corporate and international tax matters.