Ashurst boosts project finance capability with partner hire

Ashurst has appointed projects partner Matthew Wood. Initially based in Abu Dhabi before relocating to London, Wood will also lead the firm’s African project finance practice.

Wood joins from White & Case in Abu Dhabi where he has been a partner since 2015. He specialises in the financing and development of energy and infrastructure assets and has extensive experience advising sponsors, lenders (including Islamic banks and export credit/multi-lateral agencies) and government institutions across a diverse range of jurisdictions in the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. Prior to moving to the UAE in 2010, Matthew spent eight years in White & Case’s project finance team in London.

Commenting, Joss Dare, managing partner of Ashurst in the Middle East, said, “Matt’s appointment further demonstrates our commitment to continue to strengthen our projects capabilities. He has superb experience across a wide range of transactions in the Middle East and in Africa which ties in perfectly with our global capability and will help us to capitalise on the major opportunities that lie ahead. I have every confidence he will be an invaluable part of our Middle East and African business going forward.”

Andy Fraiser, global head of project finance, commented,”The global project finance market represents a significant growth opportunity for Ashurst that we are dedicated to embracing. Many of the world’s truly global project finance clients are looking for a fresh approach to providing legal services and Matt joining us is one of a number of steps that we will be taking in the near future to respond to client demand. Matt’s pedigree is first class and I have every confidence that he will add significant value to our global practice, most notably in the Middle East and Africa.”

Matthew Wood added, “Ashurst has a globally acclaimed project finance practice, an established presence and track record in the Middle East and a very highly regarded Africa group. This is, therefore, the perfect platform for me to further develop my practice and to work with the team to deliver on Ashurst’s ambitious objectives for the practice globally.”