Abu Dhabi

Ashurst is set to move two of its Middle East operations into larger premises by 2020, as part of a new growth push in the region.

The firm is increasing its office space in Abu Dhabi, taking on more than double the size of its current premises when it moves to a new home this summer.

Its plans to grow the operation were underlined earlier this month with its hire of White & Case local partner Luke Robottom, who specialises in advising on major infrastructure, power, and oil and gas projects.

Robottom is a longstanding adviser to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Ashurst sits on the company's legal panel. Former Middle East managing partner Joss Dare, who has just been appointed global co-head of projects at the firm, said its relationship with the client was a big driver behind the growth push in the office.

"We needed more partner resource in oil and gas on the ground in Abu Dhabi to make sure we are resourced up to deal with the workload from ADNOC in particular," Dare said. He added the firm had enjoyed its "best ever" financial performance in the region.

The firm has also relocated energy and resources Perth partner Stuart James to Abu Dhabi, with the plan now to prioritise growth "across the seniority chain" to support those partners.

Ashurst has also agreed a deal for its to Dubai office to move to a base about 50% larger than its current home in the summer of 2020.

This follows on from a move to grow its presence in Saudi Arabia, with the launch of its second base in the country last year. Clifford Chance counsel Bilal Rana joined to open an office in Riyadh in autumn 2018. It has an existing operation in Jeddah.

Ashurst's new Middle East managing partner David Charlier, who took up his new role on May 1, said that work in Saudi accounts for half of Ashurst's total workload in the Middle East, and that this demand shows no sign of slowing.

The firm is currently advising on the country's $22 billion metro project in Riyadh and on elements of its Privatisation Program, which is targeting public-private partnership investments in the region.

It also recently advised on the $700 million deal between power generation owner ACWA Power and conglomerate Saudi Brothers Commercial Company, to build one of the world's largest independent water desalination plants.