Knox will be based in Sydney, while Stewart is based in Melbourne. ôThe fact that the two of them are in different cities means that we can increase the level of senior coverage of our clients,ö says a Credit Suisse spokesperson.
Knox has worked for Credit Suisse for 12 years, starting in Australia then transferring to New York in 1998. He returned to Sydney in 2005 to become head of financial sponsor coverage. In that role he has worked on some high-profile deals including: arranging the finance for CVC Asia-PacificÆs purchase of a stake in PBL Media; advising and financing Affinity Equity PartnersÆ acquisition of Colorado; and the IPO of Emeco, an earthmoving equipment business, which was sold by Archer Capital and Pacific Equity Partners.
Credit Suisse says Knox will continue in his role as head the financial sponsors, and that the bank is also considering building this business with some new hires.
As co-heads of investment banking, Knox and Stewart will work together on M&A advisory, corporate advisory, leverage debt financings and equity financings. One of the bankÆs recent transactions involved working with Westfield on a $2.7 billion accelerated rights issue.
Head of investment banking in Asia-Pacific, Paul Raphael, says: ôThe Australian investment banking business has been successful for many years and is extremely important to us. John and Rob will form a team that will enhance our coverage of key clients at a senior level.ö
Credit Suisse runs a similar co-head of investment banking structure at a global level, where Marc Granetz and Eric Varvel share the role in New York.
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