Australian law firm Minter Ellison is pushing into the Asian market by transferring its London finance head Nigel Clark to its Beijing office following the opening of its Mongolia office.

After the move, Clark, who is experienced in the area of overseas investments for Chinese companies, will take care of the firm’s China-based clients in addition to its Australian and international banking clients with interests in China, according to Minter Ellison's chief executive partner John Weber.

"Nigel's relocation forms part of Minter Ellison's international strategy to build a powerful regional capability," Weber said in a statement.

Clark is currently acting for Chinese state-owned Taurus Mineral on the latter’s A$2.18 billion ($2.32 billion) downstream takeover of Australian uranium miner Extract Resources. He has also assisted the China Africa Development Fund on its £632m ($998 million) upstream offer for AIM and NSX-listed Kalahari Minerals that that is closing by the end of this month.

Over the past decade, Clark has advised many banks on financial deals, debt restructurings and mergers and acquisitions at Minter Ellison’s Sydney and London offices. His previous clients include Citigroup, the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentina, Deutsche Bank and Travelex.

“I'm excited about the move and by the opportunity to build our capability and connections on the ground in Beijing,” he said.

Weber mentioned Clark’s appointment together with the earlier opening of the firm’s new office in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and the announcement of three new lateral partners in Australia with significant China experience.

Aiming to cash in on Mongolia's rapidly emerging and substantial resource-based economy, Minter Ellison has placed Elisabeth Ellis, a resident partner, in the Ulaanbaatar office. Ellis will be responsible for providing on-the-ground support for the Australian resource corporations operating in Mongolia.

As part of the firm’s Asian expansion plan, Clark’s relocation is expected to support the regional offices including Ulaanbaatar, particularly in corporate M&A, finance, and energy and resources.

“Minter Ellison already has a significant presence and capability in the region, and I'll be working with all our offices to continue to build on this momentum," said Clark. ALB

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