Bank of America Names New Co-Heads for EMEA M&A Division Amid Resurgence

Bank of America has appointed Geoff Iles and Lukas Poensgen as co-heads of its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) division for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), effective September 22, 2025. This leadership change follows the promotion of Eamon Brabazon to co-head of global M&A in late 2024.

Geoff Iles, who joined Bank of America in 2003, has led the UK M&A division for the past seven years and will continue to be based in London. Lukas Poensgen, with the bank since 2010, has overseen M&A efforts in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and will operate from Frankfurt.

These appointments come amid a resurgence in dealmaking activities in the EMEA region. According to PwC's 2025 mid-year outlook, the global M&A market experienced a 9% drop in deal volumes compared to the same period in 2024, but overall deal values increased by 15%, reflecting a market environment where investors are prioritizing quality over quantity. In the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), deal volume reached 1,447 transactions in the first half of 2025, up 15.5% from the same period in 2024. Total deal value moderated to €83.6 billion, a 10.9% decline from the previous half-year, but the average deal size increased to €202 million, indicating a shift toward larger, more strategic transactions.

Bank of America currently ranks sixth among advisers on deals in the EMEA region, holding a 9.7% market share. The appointments of Iles and Poensgen are strategic moves to strengthen the bank's position in the EMEA M&A market. With the region experiencing a resurgence in dealmaking activities, their leadership is expected to drive further growth and solidify the bank's market share.

The leadership changes are expected to enhance Bank of America's competitive position in the EMEA M&A landscape. The appointments reflect the bank's proactive approach to capitalizing on the current surge in regional dealmaking activities.

Bank of America's strategic appointments of Geoff Iles and Lukas Poensgen as co-heads of its EMEA M&A division underscore the bank's commitment to strengthening its presence in a region experiencing significant growth in dealmaking activities.