Clyde & Co commercial law partner Andrew Watson has left the firm's Qatar base to join Singapore's Wong Partnership as co-head of its Middle East practice.

Watson joined Clydes when the Qatar practice launched in 2007 as one of two partners in the corporate and commercial practice.

Prior to joining Clydes, he was managing partner of Denton Wilde Sapte's Middle Eastern offices.

Significant deals that Watson has worked on include advising the Government of Oman on the $800m (£522m) initial public offering of state-run telecoms company Omantel, the largest listing in the country's history.

Wong Partnership, which has offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, is a former joint venture partner of Clifford Chance, although the alliance ended in April last year ahead of the impending liberalisation of the Singapore legal market.

Clydes Middle East managing partner David Salt said: "As Andrew goes on to do different things, we will be looking for a partner to replace him, but it is a question of finding the right person. Qatar has a very individual legal climate and requires an understanding of client needs here. We are always looking for good opportunities though."

Last week Clydes recruited a partner from Maclay Murray & Spens for its London energy practice, marking the team's tenth hire in the last year.

The firm also acquired construction boutique Shadbolt in January this year, taking over its London-based construction and infrastructure projects and disputes groups, as well as its UK corporate practice and Paris office.

Eight Shadbolt partners joined Clydes at the start of February along with a handful of associates and trainees.