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

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, previously oversaw M&A operations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and will operate from Frankfurt.

The appointments come amid a resurgence in dealmaking activities within the EMEA region. According to KPMG's M&A outlook for 2025, Europe experienced a 31% increase in deal values in 2024, indicating a robust recovery in the market. (kpmg.com)

Bank of America's recent leadership changes, including the appointment of Dean Athanasia and Jim DeMare as co-presidents, reflect a broader strategy to strengthen its global investment banking operations.

By appointing seasoned leaders like Iles and Poensgen, Bank of America aims to enhance its foothold in the EMEA M&A market, aligning with the region's upward trend in dealmaking activities.