Ogier, the offshore legal and fiduciary firm, is to launch Guernsey and Jersey services in Asia in response it seeing increased demand for Channel Islands services from clients in the region.

The move will see a number of Guernsey and Jersey lawyers relocate to the firm’s Hong Kong office - where Ogier has an established British Virgin Islands and Caymans practice - in May.

Heading up the new practice will be Marcus Leese, a partner based in the Ogier Guernsey office, whose expertise covers private client and trusts matters, investment funds, banking and corporate and commercial work. Mr Leese joins partners Timothy Bridges, Nicholas Plowman and Duncan Smith, who is managing partner of the Hong Kong office

Already in Hong Kong is associate director, Maria McDermott, who recently relocated to head up Ogier Fiduciary Services there. She will be joined by lawyers transferring from the firm’s Jersey office to set up the joint Channel Islands practice.

“Our Hong Kong office continues to experience dramatic growth and in establishing a Channel Islands practice there we are ensuring our client-driven strategy is being achieved. We have seen the success of offering Cayman and BVI services in Asia so it is a natural step forward to look at extending our Guernsey and Jersey services to this region,” said Nick Kershaw, Ogier’s chief executive.