Offshore law firm Ogier has appointed Ray Wearmouth as a group partner in its British Virgin Islands office.

Mr Wearmouth has rejoined Ogier after seven years at law firm Harney Westwood & Riegels in the BVI and Hong Kong, where he was an equity partner, head of the firm’s corporate department in the BVI and a member of the executive committee. He had also previously been head of Harney’s banking department in the BVI, and had established the firm’s Hong Kong office.

Prior to Harneys, Mr Wearmouth worked for Ogier in Jersey and DLA Piper in the UK.

“Ray’s appointment is further demonstration of Ogier’s commitment to its clients and the evolution of the BVI business… His appointment significantly boosts our BVI legal practice which continues to go from strength to strength,” said Michael Fay, managing partner of Ogier BVI.

News of Mr Wearmouth’s appointment follows the announcement earlier this month that Bob Banfield had joined Ogier as managing director of its fiduciary services operations in Guernsey.

In October 2008, Ogier opened new offices in Bahrain and Tokyo, adding to its existing offices in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jersey, London, Montevideo and New Zealand.   

The group, which has some 850 employees, specialises in corporate and finance law along with associated fiduciary services. Last year the firm launched Ogier Private Wealth to provide wealth management services to ultra high net worth individuals and family businesses. Among these services are the establishment and administration of trusts, and the formation and administration of investment funds, particularly in the area of private funds.