Ashurst names new Abu Dhabi head as incumbent returns to London

Wadham, who had been managing partner of the Abu Dhabi office since its 2008 launch, will split his time between London and Abu Dhabi following the move this month.

The switch comes hot on the heels of the departure of two City energy partners, Anthony Patten and Louise Eccleston, over the summer, but the firm said Wadham’s move had been planned for several months and was unrelated to the duo’s exit.

Patten has left Ashurst to return to Australia, joining the Perth office of Allens Arthur Robinson (11 August 2011), while Eccleston also headed down under, although not to a law firm (2 September 2011).

Wadham advises on power and water projects, especially for Japanese trading houses and European banks, a focus he will retain on returning to London.

He teamed up with London energy partner John Inglis earlier this year to advise lenders including the Japan Bank for International Cooperatio, BNP Paribas and HSBC on the financing of Abu Dhabi’s $1.5bn (£971m) Shuweihat 3 Independent Power Plant project (30 May 2011).

Holland, whose practice largely covers M&A and ECM deals for energy clients, moved to the Middle East in 2008, working first in Ashurst’s Dubai office and later in Abu Dhabi. He made partner earlier this year (14 April 2011).

In June Ashurst moved recently promoted energy, transport and infrastructure partner David Jardine to Abu Dhabi from London.