Hogan Lovells has hired an IFLR1000 Leading Lawyer in a boost to its projects practice.

Arun Velusami joins the team from Norton Rose Fulbright. His practice is focused on African energy and oil and gas work including advising on supply and dsisribution agreements and a range of renewable and traditional energy power projects for lenders and sponsors.

His recent work includes advising the lenders - the IFC, African Development Bank, CDC Group, Emerging African Infrastructure Fund and FMO - on the financing of a 57MW heavy fuel oil power project in Sierra Leone.

Velusami will join the firm's finance group in London and will also work in the Africa energy and natural resources practice groups.

Hogan Lovells' last hire in London was the addition of funds lawyer Jonathan Baird from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in August.