Addleshaw Goddard has recruited Clifford Chance (CC) Qatar bank lending head Robin Hickman in a boost for the firm's Middle Eastern offering, following the departure of Qatar head Hussein Damirji.

Damirji, who joined Addleshaws from Patton Boggs in 2013 to launch a Doha base for the UK firm, left for London investment firm LMN Capital Partners at the start of the year.

Hickman, who was a counsel at CC, joins Addleshaws as a partner. His practice will cover the whole of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), spanning the UAE, Qatar and Oman. His expertise also includes the telecoms, real estate, leisure, renewables and non-renewable energy sectors.

Addleshaws' 2013 Qatar launch came as part of flurry of international expansion by the firm during 2012 and 2013, which also saw it open offices in Singapore, Dubai, Oman and Hong Kong. ​Last year, the firm promoted two partners in Dubai – the first time the firm had made up lawyers to partnership outside of the UK.

Addleshaws GCC head Andrew Greaves said: "Robin's hire will allow us to significantly bolster our Dubai and Qatar practices, as well as making a broader contribution to building our regional banking and finance practice, which is a key part of our GCC strategy.

"Robin's reputation in the market is outstanding and his impressive credentials and knowledge of the financial market and community in the region will also allow us to present a compelling offering to clients."

In his new role at LMN, former Qatar head Damirji will provide fundraising, strategic and general advisory services to SMEs. He launched Addleshaws' Doha office alongside former Dentons banking and finance partner Martin Brown, who now leads the firm's Qatar offering.