Gateley Middle East is pleased to announce the appointment of Renan Ozturk as Partner and Middle East Head of Tax, alongside the arrival of eight tax lawyers and advisors, marking a significant and highly distinctive expansion of the firm’s regional offering.
This substantial team move represents a bold strategic step for the business and introduces a truly unique proposition within the Middle East legal market.
Renan brings extensive experience advising regional and international clients on complex tax matters across the Middle East. He has a strong track record in corporate and international tax structuring and supporting clients through large-scale business transformations, regulatory change, transactions and disputes involving regional tax authorities. Renan is widely recognised for delivering commercially-focused, practical advice, underpinned by deep market knowledge.
The appointment of Renan and his team establishes Gateley Middle East as the only law firm in the region to operate a standalone tax consultancy business alongside fully integrated legal and tax services. This structure is unique in the Middle East and aligns more closely with the operating model traditionally associated with the Big4, while retaining the agility and client-focused approach of a leading legal business.
As a result, clients will benefit from a fully integrated ‘one-stop shop’ offering, combining legal advisory, dedicated tax consultancy and seamless legal and tax solutions under a seamless end-to-end service offering. This enhanced capability directly responds to the growing complexity of regulatory, tax and compliance requirements across the region.
Commenting on the appointment, Darren Harris, Managing Partner of Gateley Middle East, said: “This is an exciting and bold step for Gateley Middle East. Renan’s appointment, together with the arrival of a highly-regarded team of eight tax lawyers and advisors, represents a transformative moment for our business. Their combined expertise significantly enhances our operational scale and strengthens our ability to support clients navigating an increasingly complex legal and tax environment. This move firmly positions Gateley Middle East as a true one-stop shop for legal and tax services, delivering a unique offering that the regional market has not seen before.”
Commenting on his appointment, Renan Ozturk said: “I am delighted to be joining Gateley Middle East at such an exciting stage in its growth, alongside a highly experienced and established team. The opportunity to build a standalone tax consultancy business fully integrated with a leading legal practice is rare in the Middle East market – and one that excites me a lot. Our unique positioning in the market will allow us to deliver seamless, practical and commercial legal and tax solutions, whilst adding real value to our clients operating across the region. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the firm to support clients and contribute to the next phase of Gateley Middle East’s growth.”
With Renan’s leadership and the expanded team in place, Gateley Middle East is strongly positioned to support existing and new clients through the next phase of regulatory, tax and commercial evolution across the region.