LEADING Merseyside law firm Kirwans has been signed up by the Liverpool Chinese Business Network as its first corporate partner.

The LCBN is a new venture spearheaded by the long-standing Liverpool Chinese Business Association and made possible by financial support from Liverpool City Council.

The Water Street-based firm will provide a range of legal services to members of the LCBN, which will be officially launched on June 24.

Kirwans’ Partner and Head of Commercial Michael Sandys negotiated the deal with LCBA together with fellow commercial solicitor Catherine Lo, who has been providing legal advice to the city’s Chinese community for a number of years.

Mr Sandys said: “The launch of the Liverpool Chinese Business Network is an exciting development for Chinese and non-Chinese businesses in the city and we are looking forward to playing a key part in its future growth and development.

“We will also be introducing many of our clients and strategic partners to the network in order that they too can find mutually beneficial opportunities with the Chinese community.”

Colin Ling, business consultant to the Liverpool Chinese Business Association, said: “The launch of the LCBN provides a wealth of opportunities for both Chinese and non-Chinese businesses in the city and we are delighted that Kirwans has agreed to come on board as our first corporate partner.

“During the coming weeks, we will be announcing a number of other corporate partners from the professional services and we are confident the network will quickly establish itself as one of the most exciting business networking organisations to launch in Liverpool in many years.”