Eversheds has strengthened its project finance and infrastructure practice with the hire of SNR Denton partner Howard Barrie.

Barrie, whose experience includes project and structured finance deals in the UK and internationally, is set to join Eversheds on 1 May, when he will take the number of partners in the London finance practice to 11.

At SNR Denton, Barrie headed the English law banking group in Paris between 2007 and 2010, returning to London last year. He had previously served as head of legacy Dentons project finance practice and chair of the firm's Africa committee.

Eversheds finance head Simon Waller said: "A lot of Howard's focus has been international, so we see him linking with our existing African practices, which we run in Paris in conjunction with our London office. His broad experience in the sector internationally is a good fit for us.

"What we're looking to do is diversify our work, not only by product line, but by geography as well. We will look to develop further in these markets in the future. His experience in international markets will complement our own."

Barrie said: "I am excited to be joining Eversheds. I am looking forward to working closely with the existing banking and project and infrastructure teams throughout the firm's international offices to further develop these practices internationally."

The hire comes after news emerged that Eversheds' London projects head Jonathan Cripps and commercial contracts, projects and infrastructure partner Rebecca Carter are set to leave the firm to join Stephenson Harwood later this year.