Ashurst has overhauled its Middle East management structure, appointing a regional managing partner for the first time.

Nick Williamson will become Middle East managing partner from the beginning of 2010. Williamson, who relocated to Abu Dhabi from London in early September to boost the firm’s corporate offering in the region, will take overall responsibility for tightening up client relations in the region, with local heads in Abu Dhabi and Dubai reporting into him.