Shearman & Sterling has appointed a new Middle East managing partner with the hire of Citadel Capital managing director Marwan Elaraby.

Elaraby takes over management of the Middle East region from Nicholas Buckworth (pictured), who will continue as managing partner London, Europe and Africa. Buckworth will also continue to be involved in Middle East strategy.

"It was key for me that we find someone with real regional credibility to be on the ground," said Buckworth. "Marwan will really take the business forward with the benefit of the work we have been doing his own vision and relationships."

Elaraby returns to Shearman where he was previously a capital markets partner based in New York. He will be based in the US firm's Abu Dhabi office, where he worked a project development and finance associate from 1996-1998.

While at Citadel Capital, Elaraby led the team that organised the Egyptian Refining Company's Mostorod Refinery which is Africa's largest ever public sector project. He also served as executive director in EFG-Hermes' investment banking group, where he worked as an investment banker.

The hire comes as Shearman considers office launches in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Dubai to extend beyond its established base in Abu Dhabi, its only base in the region.

Partners Philip Dundas and James Comyn will maintain responsibility for the management of the firm's Abu Dhabi office as office managing partner and deputy office managing partner, respectively.