Ashurst has hired a Herbert Smith Freehills partner to join its infrastructure and energy practice in Melbourne to boost its project finance capabilities.

Chris Skordas joined the firm from the Dubai office of HSF, where he has been a partner since May 2016, Ashurst said. He was previously a senior associate in HSF's Melbourne-based project finance team.

In the Middle East, he advised clients on new greenfield developments, refinancing, private-public partnerships, acquisitions and privatization in such sectors as power and water, renewables, real estate, oil and gas, transport and social infrastructure.