Eversheds and Allen & Overy (A&O) have scooped lead roles advising on the establishment of a £75m women-only college in Saudi Arabia. 

The Jeddah college is being set up by a consortium of three UK further educational bodies led by North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT) after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched a SAR4bn (£689m) project to raise skills and build up to 11 learning institutions.

The NESCOT consortium, which was selected ahead of more than 500 global organisations interested in running the college, also includes Highbury College Portsmouth and Burton and South Derbyshire College. 

An Eversheds team, including international head of education Glynne Stanfield and Saudi Arabia partner Faisal Tabbaa, advised the consortium on several matters including the bidding process, setting up a joint venture in Saudi Arabia and financial arrangements. 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was advised by an A&O Dubai-based team led by projects, energy and infrastructure partner Sachin Karia. 

Stanfield said: "International education is a strong driver for the education sector and the chance to use our expertise on this groundbreaking project has been really pleasing. This is an exciting time for education and skills training in Saudi Arabia and it's an honour to work with our clients as they get in on the ground floor."