London-based DLA Piper projects partner Alex Guy will be joining the firm’s new chief Tony Holland as a partner at DLA Phillips Fox. Holland, who has a project finance background, told ALB that he would be looking to bolster the practice – and this move seems to confirm that statement. “While the firm already has project finance capability, we will be looking to further develop and expand it as well as our finance capability and offering,” he said.

Guy has been working with DLA Phillips Fox and the New Zealand government on a new public-private-project framework over the past 12 months. Australia is similarly looking at PPP structures and Guy said there is plenty of opportunity for infrastructure practices.

“Australia has the feel in terms of PPP that the UK had eight or nine years ago and is about to take off,” he said. “I’ll be helping to develop their finance and projects expertise generally and raise the firm’s profile in the project finance market.”

Guy will take up his position as an equity partner from 1 January 2010 for a minimum of three years, based at DLA Phillips Fox’s Brisbane office.

Related stories:

DLA Phillips Fox looks to Middle East for new CEO

Mallesons' Tony Holland moves to DLA Piper in Dubai