Byrch takes permanent RBS role after secondment from Dentons

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has appointed its first Middle East and Africa head of legal with the hire of Denton Wilde Sapte banking partner Sarah Byrch.

Byrch, who was based in Dentons' Oman office, took on the position permanently at the end of last month after having been seconded to RBS in Dubai since February 2009 as head of legal for the Middle East.

Dentons advised RBS on entering the region around four years ago and the UK banking group approached the City-based law firm to supply a senior secondee to head the legal team for an interim period.

The bank subsequently gave Byrch the brief to hire her own replacement in the role or remain with the bank, with Byrch deciding to take on the role permanently.

Dentons Middle East head Neil Cuthbert said: "We were obviously sad to see Sarah go because she is a great partner. However, second-best to not losing a partner at all is losing a partner to a good client. RBS remains one of our biggest clients and this will further strengthen our relationship in the Middle East."

Dentons has also lost Dubai-based energy partner Vincent Mulvey to US firm Baker Botts in Abu Dhabi earlier this year.