Law firm White and Case has hired Ken Hawkes to its Singapore office to expand its global project finance expertise.

Hawkes will be responsible for advising sponsors, lenders and other parties on their financing needs, with a particular focus on independent power projects.

White and Case poached Hawkes from Lovells, where he headed the firm’s banking and finance practices in Singapore.

He brings more than 15 years’ experience in project finance, with specific expertise in negotiating, structuring and documenting transactions in oil and gas, power, resources and telecoms sectors.

“I’m pleased to be joining the team at a time where we are seeing increasing activity in the market. My main priority going forward is to continue to build the firm’s reputation in this area, particularly in Indonesia and other emerging markets in Asia, and to help put some distance between White and Case and its competitors,” Hawkes tells GTR.

Barrye Wall, head of the law firm’s Asia Region adds: “Ken’s addition demonstrates our commitment to solidifying our position as Asia’s leading project finance law firm. Importantly, Ken’s arrival adds to the already-substantial English law capability we can offer clients and he joins us at a time when the number of transactions is increasing.”