News

Ashurst boosts Asia energy practice

16 April 2010

Ashurst announces that partner Philip Thomson will relocate to the firm's Singapore office from London with effect from
1 May 2010, to head the firm's Asian energy team. Philip specialises in project development and finance, with particular expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Recent transactions in which Philip has been heavily involved include:

  • the GATE LNG regasification project in Rotterdam, the Netherlands; 
  • the Greater Manchester Energy from Waste project in the UK;
  • the Livorno LNG Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, offshore Italy;
  • the world's first floating LNG project;
  • the US$680m project for the redevelopment, expansion and operation of Queen Alia International Airport in Amman.

Philip's relocation is the latest boost for Ashurst's Asia energy practice, following the recent hire in Singapore of Keith McGuire, a corporate partner with significant experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors, and Melanie Williams, an energy and corporate finance specialist with a particular focus on oil and gas.

Ashurst has continued to develop its energy practice around the world including with the recent hires of European power and renewables specialist Antony Skinner, ex-Centrica Energy General Counsel Peter Roberts in London, and senior oil and gas lawyer Judith Kim in Dubai (from Shell).  

Ashurst's head of Asia, Geoffrey Green, commented:

"The development of a full service offering for energy clients has been an important objective for us in Asia. We now have leading sector-focused expertise in the key areas of corporate, finance, projects and disputes and Philip's arrival broadens our coverage in the region even further. Philip is a highly regarded practitioner with considerable international experience and he will be a welcome addition to our team in Asia."

Ashurst's head of global energy, Geoffrey Picton-Turbervill, commented:

"Having people who know and understand the energy industry is key to building a genuinely sector-focused practice. In addition to further strengthening our projects expertise in Asia, Philip's specialist knowledge of the energy sector and understanding of the commercial issues faced by clients will also add real value on corporate transactions in both oil and gas and power. Philip is a key member of our global energy team and we are delighted to have him located in this highly important region."

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