Our Team

Hugh Fraser, group managing partner

Hugh Fraser is the founder and Group Managing Partner of Hugh Fraser International's Team. He is a Scottish corporate lawyer with over 20 years' experience in the international oil and gas industry. Prior to founding HFI in 2003 he was General Counsel of John Wood Group PLC.

He is a specialist in oil and gas projects, contracts and transactions, mergers & acquisitions and joint ventures, In the space of the last 7 years he has developed a specialist niche practice which is focussed on the Middle East region with offices in Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Dubai. The firm's clients include Hunting Energy Services, Superior Energy Services, Enerflex, International Tubular Services, Production Services Network, SPT Group, Bluewater, Corelab and Heriot-Watt University.

Ian Kelly, group chairman

Ian E. Kelly has a Bachelor of Laws degree with first class honours specialising in oil and gas law, and he is a graduate of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program. He has held senior positions at Precision and Santa Fe Drilling – culminating in the office of President of Precision Drilling International. He has undertaken extended assignments around the world and is experienced in business restructuring and purchase/sale. Ian has expertise in all aspects of the running of an international business – including HSE, operations, commercial, legal, tax planning, implementation of tax efficient strategies and HR. He has been an officer of, and an active member of the board of directors of several international companies. He was a member of the drafting committees of both IADC and CRINE ground-breaking standard contracts in the UK North Sea oil industry.

Heather Williams, client relations partner

Heather Williams is a partner in Hugh Fraser International's Team after joining the firm in 2006. A qualified lawyer from Northern Ireland, she is based in the Middle East and is a specialist in construction & engineering contracts and in commercial disputes management. Heather has substantial experience in supporting Middle East clients in reaching settlement on construction disputes, disputes relating to professional appointments, disputes within the oil and gas industry, and general commercial disputes. She regularly presents to groups of professionals on topics such as Policy wordings for insurance brokers, PPP/PFI, Partnering and Contracts and UAE law.

Kerry Calvert, partner

Kerry is a corporate and commercial contracts specialist with substantial experience of corporate transactions, commercial contracts and corporate documents. A solicitor qualified in Northern Ireland, she practised law for 10 years in England, Northern Ireland and Germany. Kerry joined HFI in 2004 and has supported a number of important HFI clients during her time with the firm. She advised RAK Petroleum in relation to a revolving credit facility for the funding of the West Bukha gas and condensate field, and she advises on international joint ventures in the energy sector in the Middle East.