Barclays announced the appointment of Rafael Abati as Co-Head of the Energy Transition Group (ETG) in EMEA, supporting the bank’s clients as they navigate the transition to a low carbon economy, and focusing on deepening client relationships to drive Barclays’ M&A and ECM market share.

The appointment follows the launch by Barclays of its new Energy Transition Group within its Corporate and Investment Bank in January, responsible for advising clients in the exploration of energy transition opportunities, and supporting clients on the path to net zero. In 2022, Barclays announced a goal to facilitate $1 trillion of sustainable and transition financing between 2023 by the end of 2030. 

Freier will work alongside ETG in EMEA Co-Head Marie Freier. Freier joined Barclays in 2021, and prior to her current role was most recently serving as Global Co-Head of Sustainable and Impact Investment Banking (SIB).

Cathal Deasy, Co-Head of Investment Banking at Barclays, said:

“At the core of our Investment Banking strategy is a commitment to consistently focus, align, and deliver against our priority clients with a solutions-driven mindset. Rafael and Marie will make a formidable leadership team for our EMEA ETG franchise, and I’m excited about the ability to advance our leadership position in differentiated client coverage.”

Abati joins Barclays from UBS, and Credit Suisse prior to its acquisition by UBS, where he worked for nearly 20 years, most recently serving as Head of Energy & Infrastructure M&A for Europe and Head of M&A for Iberia, where he advised on strategic transactions for power and energy sector clients including EDP, Iberdrola, IFM, EQT, CVC, Naturgy, Enel and Repsol.

Mike Cormier, Global Head of the Energy Transition Group at Barclays, said:

“Rafael’s deal experience in the power and energy sectors complements Marie’s expertise in ClimateTech investment banking and sustainability research – of which both are material assets to Barclays as we seek to provide the capital and strategic advice for clients. Our team is now strongly positioned globally, and particularly in Europe, to support electrification and decarbonization initiatives for our clients, especially in hard to abate sectors.”