Baker McKenzie funds partner James Burdett is relocating from London to Abu Dhabi in a move the firm said will strengthen its transactional practice in the Middle East and North Africa.
Burdett has a significant practice base in the region and his relocation will strengthen Baker McKenzie’s investment fund and private equity offering, the firm said in a statement.
He joins the firm’s UAE practice on April 1, 2024, based from Abu Dhabi.
David Allen, co-head of Baker McKenzie’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) corporate practice, said: “James’ relocation to the Middle East reflects the sharp uptick that we have seen in private capital activity in the UAE and throughout the region and the increase in fundraising from or focused on the region. James has an excellent global overview of private capital fundraising coupled with deep knowledge of the unique set of challenges and opportunities which the region presents.”
Burdett has been leading the firm’s investment funds group in London for nearly two decades.
His practice covers a broad range of institutional funds and investment structures across a number of sectors including, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, environmental markets, and energy transition. He also has experience in representing sovereign wealth funds and other financial institutions on investment and asset-holding structures.
He recently advised Abu Dhabi real estate developer Aldar Properties on its AED 400 million investment in two European private real estate credit platforms.
Commenting on his move, Burdett said: “In recent years we’ve seen increasing activity in the region amongst our institutional and sponsor clients, alongside a growing appetite for expanding their investment remit globally, and into ever-more complex deals. Â I am excited to be joining a phenomenal team in UAE and the broader MENA region as we seek to further lever the firm’s strengths in investment funds and complex transactional structuring for the benefit of our clients.”
Baker McKenzie has made a number of prominent lateral hires in recent months across the UAE and wider region. These include Adil Hussain from Clyde & Co as partner and head of the banking and finance practice in the UAE, and global head of Islamic finance.
