Allen & Overy (A&O) has relocated London partner Gary McLean to Hong Kong to take on the role of Asia-Pacific head of corporate.

The new role was created by A&O in order to co-ordinate the firm's corporate presence throughout Asia and Australia.

Global corporate co-head Sietze Hepkema commented: "The relocation underlines the firm's commitment to its presence in Greater China. As we are expanding across the region, as witnessed by our new Australian platform we needed someone to coordinate the effort across the region.

"Having previously worked at the firm's Hong Kong office, and with his knowledge of the firm's corporate practice, McLean is a valuable resource for the firm in Hong Kong."

McLean, who joined A&O in 1988 and made partner in 1996, advises on a range of domestic and international corporate and commercial matters including M&A, asset financing, outsourcing transactions, joint ventures and corporate recovery work.

Asia-Pacific managing partner Thomas Brown said: "Gary's strong transactional record has enabled him to foster deep-rooted relationships with our key financial services clients around the world. His wealth of experience and knowledge will help strengthen the corporate practice in the region."

In the Asia-Pacific region A&O recently took a role on the Agricultural Bank of China's multibillion-dollar initial public offering (IPO), acting as US counsel to the international underwriters. The amount raised by the listing recently passed $22bn (£14.2bn), making it the biggest IPO in history.

Senior counsel Rose Zhu, who was part of the A&O team acting on the IPO, left the firm earlier this month to join K&L Gates as a partner in Beijing.