Ahmed Butt joins Dentons’ Banking & Finance practice

Dentons has announced that Ahmed Butt has joined its Banking & Finance practice in the Middle East as a partner. Ahmed’s arrival strengthens the Middle East Banking & Finance practice with the addition of more than 20 years of specialist Banking Regulations and Financial Institutions Regulatory expertise.

Ahmed, formerly EY’s MENA Financial Services Law Leader, is highly regarded in the financial services sector, where he specialises in regulatory matters, including new market entry licensing applications, innovative product regulatory analysis, cross-border promotion and regulatory investigations. His extensive knowledge also encompasses legislative enhancement projects and banking transactional expertise, both in conventional and Islamic finance.

“We are thrilled to have Ahmed join our team,” said Stephen Knight, co-head of Banking & Finance. “His leadership and deep understanding of the Middle East regulatory landscape significantly enhances our regional service offerings and provide strategic value to our clients.”

Paul Jarvis, CEO of Dentons‘ UK, Ireland and Middle East region added, “The regulatory landscape is changing very quickly in the Middle East. There is a high client demand for regulatory expertise, and we are delighted to have Ahmed on board. Ahmed will work alongside Chris Brennan, who leads our compliance and investigation practice, and Henrietta Baker, head of our fintech practice, to drive the growth of our regulatory practice.”

Having had a spell with Dentons earlier in his career, Ahmed commented, “I am delighted to be returning to Dentons. The Firm’s global reputation in the financial services sector and expansive footprint across the Middle East provides a fantastic platform from which to serve clients.”

Ahmed focuses on key markets including Saudi Arabia, mainland UAE, DIFC, ADGM and Qatar. He has been recognised by Legal 500 in 2024 in the “Firm to Watch” category for Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation, UAE. Additionally, he has been consistently ranked by Legal 500 from 2015 to 2023 as a “Leading Partner” for Banking & Finance in Saudi Arabia.