Citigroup hires lawyer to head Australian M&A business

Andrew Clarke has resigned from law firm Allens Arthur Robinson to become managing director and head of M&A at Citigroup covering Australia and New Zealand. His new job starts at the beginning of 2007, and he replaces John Hanson who left for Merrill Lynch in August.

Clarke spent 20 years at Allens Arthur Robinson as a corporate advisor on both capital market and M&A transactions. He has represented some of AustraliaÆs largest companies including News Corp and Sonic Healthcare.

Clarke joined the law firm in 1984 and was elected partner in 1991. He was partner in charge of the New York office from 1992 to 1996 and worked on secondment with Skadden, Arps in New York.

At Citigroup, Clarke will report to co-heads of investment banking Chris Knoblanche and David Hatt. ôThis is a significant appointment for our business in Australia and New Zealand,ö says Knoblanche. ôAndrewÆs experience with many of the countryÆs largest corporations, and his direct knowledge of US practices and markets will complement and build our local and cross-border investment banking business.ö