NEW BANKING AND FINANCE HEAD AT BOWMANS

By Shamilah Grimwood-Norley Thursday, July 20, 2017
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Project finance and infrastructure legal expert Shamilah Grimwood is the new Head of Banking and Finance at pan-African law firm Bowmans.

Announcing her appointment, Bowmans Chairman and Senior Partner Rob Legh said Grimwood’s extensive experience in South African and other legal markets stands her in good stead for her new role.

“Shamilah has a strong appreciation of work in a global environment and we are fortunate to have her as head of this critical part of the firm’s business. It is clear from her credentials that she has a great deal of experience, a significant amount of which was gained at a top global firm operating in competitive international markets,” he said.

This is a reference to Grimwood’s work at an international law firm, where she was a partner from 2007 until 2014, when she joined Bowmans. She has practised as an attorney in South Africa for 20 years and was admitted to practise law in the State of New York in 2001.

In her three years with Bowmans, she has practised as a partner in the Project Finance practice group and headed up the firm’s Infrastructure Sector Group. She took up the position of Banking and Finance head at the beginning of July 2017.

Her role will include the management and implementation of the firm’s strategy for the banking and finance sector.

“I’m delighted to take up this new role and have the privilege of being able to work with talented lawyers across all our offices to solidify our firm’s reputation for combining “boots on the ground” practical experience across key African jurisdictions with first class expertise.

“There are ever increasing complexities in and challenges to our African economies.  South Africa is of course no exception given the unlikely improvement in the country’s credit rating in the short to medium term.  Many institutions in the banking and finance sector are concerned about the lack of growth of their loan books and current activity appears focussed on asset recycling rather than new credit.  Nevertheless, challenge goes hand in hand with opportunity and innovation and  our firm is well-placed to serve our clients in these complex and challenging times.” Grimwood says.