Allen & Overy (A&O) banking partner Carl Sheldon has been named as the first-ever general counsel of the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA).

Sheldon, who is US and UK-qualified and was most recently based in New York, takes up his new role on 1 April after 17 years with A&O.

Sheldon – a former managing partner of A&O's Manhattan and Frankfurt offices – will be tasked with developing a global legal group at TAQA, which is among the largest companies listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market. Its operations include power generation, water desalination, upstream oil and gas, pipelines and gas storage.

TAQA chief executive Peter Barker-Homek commented: "Since TAQA was established in 2005, we have enjoyed a strong working relationship with A&O and it is excellent news that Carl is on board. I know that his expertise will benefit us greatly as we continue to grow and fulfill our desire to become a leading global energy company."

Sheldon added: "The next 10 years will mark pivotal changes in the global energy industry. [and] I believe TAQA and Abu Dhabi will be at the centre of those changes. There are few opportunities in life where one can say that every aspect of my career to date has helped prepare me for this [but] this is such an opportunity."

Sheldon becomes the latest senior A&O partner to go in-house after projects chief Graham Vinter last year became general counsel at energy giant BG Group.

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