Bank of America Appoints New Co-Heads for EMEA M&A Division Amid Resurgence in Activity

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 his tenure 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 M&A activity within the EMEA region. In the first half of 2025, global M&A deal value reached $2.1 trillion, marking a 3% increase from 2024, though still below the ten-year average of $3.0 trillion. Europe and North America are leading this renewed optimism, with the BCG M&A Sentiment Index rising from 76 to 84 in Europe and from 81 to 91 in North America. This shift suggests that dealmakers are prepared to re-enter the market, spurred by stronger balance sheets, increasing private equity activity, and sector-specific tailwinds.

The strategic appointment of Iles and Poensgen aims to strengthen Bank of America's M&A capabilities across the EMEA region. By leveraging their extensive experience and regional expertise, the bank is positioning itself to capitalize on the current surge in M&A activities. This move also aligns with the bank's broader strategy to enhance its global investment banking leadership, as evidenced by recent senior leadership changes, including the appointment of Faiz Ahmad and Mike Joo as co-heads of the global investment-banking unit.

The leadership change comes amid a revival in dealmaking activities within the EMEA region. In 2025, transactions in this area have risen by 11%, reaching a total of $950 billion. This uptick reflects a broader global trend, with dealmakers anticipating that global M&A volumes will exceed $4 trillion in 2025, the highest in four years.

The appointments of Iles and Poensgen signify Bank of America's commitment to strengthening its M&A capabilities across the EMEA region. By leveraging their extensive experience and regional expertise, the bank aims to capitalize on the current surge in M&A activities. This move also aligns with the bank's broader strategy to enhance its global investment banking leadership, as evidenced by recent senior leadership changes, including the appointment of Faiz Ahmad and Mike Joo as co-heads of the global investment-banking unit.

The appointments of Iles and Poensgen underscore Bank of America's commitment to enhancing its presence in the EMEA M&A landscape. With their extensive experience and regional expertise, the duo is poised to navigate the complexities of the current market, characterized by a resurgence in high-value transactions and evolving economic conditions.