Ashurst has strengthened its Middle East projects capability with the hire of Norton Rose projects partner John Inglis. Inglis, the London-based head of Norton Rose's Middle East energy project finance group, has resigned from the City firm and is set to join Ashurst as a partner.

His departure follows the loss of Dubai partner Tahir Ahmed, who quit Norton Rose last month – also for Ashurst. Ahmed becomes the fourth partner in the City giant's Dubai office, which opened in 2005.

Inglis led a team last year that advised 33 lead arrangers on the $2.5bn (£1.28bn) financing of the Greater EQUATE project in Kuwait – the largest project financing seen in Kuwait . He also advised Marubeni Corporation on the $1.2bn (£610m) Rabigh Saudi power project.