Simmons & Simmons has promoted Qatar-based finance lawyer Samer Eido to head its Middle East financial markets practice. Eido replaces outgoing partner Philip Abbott, who has held the position since 2008 and is returning to practice in the London office’s banking group.

Eido will take charge of the regional financial markets practice, which serves the Islamic finance, banking, insurance and private funds industries, working under global head Jeremy Hoyland. His transactional experience includes advising regular client Commercial Bank of Qatar on its US$1.2bn bond issue last year.

Hoyland thanked Abbott for his work for the firm during the economic downturn and said that Eido’s links in the region will assist with growing the firm’s practice.

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