Bank of America Merrill Lynch Names New Head Of EMEA Financial Sponsors

Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) has named Rob Firth as head of the financial sponsors group for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Based in London, Mr Firth will join BAML in August 2010 reporting to Karim Assef, global head of financial sponsors and Christian Meissner, who will join the firm in July as head of EMEA investment banking.

Mr Firth brings more than 10 years of experience and partnership with the EMEA financial sponsor community, most recently as head of EMEA financial sponsors at Deutsche Bank. The appointment of Mr Firth follows the previously announced addition of Chris Gammons as head of Asia Pacific ex-Japan financial sponsors group (FSG) earlier this year. Mr Gammons had most recently led Citigroup’s financial sponsors efforts in Asia.

Mr Assef said: “Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s ties with the global financial sponsor community are among the firm’s most important client relationships. As sponsors’ influence around the world continues to grow, our global footprint will enable us to capture even greater share with this critical segment of the market. A tremendous growth opportunity exists with EMEA sponsors and I look forward to working with Rob and the team to build on our successes in the region.”