Barclays Capital has hired 450 bankers to strengthen its equity business in Europe and Asia since the autumn, as it aims to become a top three player in Europe by 2011. It is 18th in European ECM league tables at present.
Central and Eastern Europe
The Russian government has hired one of the country's most influential investment bankers to informally consult state-run companies over acquisitions abroad, according to banking sources.
VocaLink, an international payment transaction specialist, has appointed Claire Hafner to its board as CFO. Hafner will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s financial management, including the accounting, commercial, procurement, legal, and risk and compliance functions.
Armajaro Asset Management has appointed Michel Danechi to manage a new emerging markets hedge fund which was launched earlier this year.
UFG Asset Management has hired Robert Sasson, the former head of the St Petersburg office of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as senior managing partner of UFG Private Equity.
The Bank of New York Mellon (BNYM) has further strengthened its treasury services operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), with new appointments in Brussels, Frankfurt, Cairo and London.
Christopher Williams, Citigroup's global co-head of FIG, is leaving the bank to become vice-chairman of EMEA investment banking at Credit Suisse.
Vakifbank's board of directors elected Yusuf Beyazit as chairman and Ragıp Dogu as vice-chairman.
EFG International has nominated two new directors for approval at its annual general meeting, scheduled for 29 April 2009.
International law firm Linklaters has appointed Stuart Salt as regional managing partner of the firm’s Emerging Europe, Middle East and North Africa (EEMENA) practice, with effect from 1 May 2009.
Francois Gamet has been appointed head of the investment banking group and acting head of the banking group of Standard Bank Russia.
Maris Mancinskis will become the new head of Swedbank in Latvia from.