Simon Ranson named M&A head for Citi Australia

SYDNEY, June 19 (Reuters) - Simon Ranson has been appointed new head of mergers and acquisitions for Citigroup Australia and New Zealand, a Citigroup spokeswoman said on Friday.

Ranson, who currently heads Citigroup's real estate banking business, replaces Andrew Clarke who joined Origin Energy Ltd (ORI.AX) as company secretary.

Citigroup is among the many investment banks in Australia which are hiring bankers anticipating a pick-up in corporate takeovers.

It recently hired Philip Lewis as head investment banker for the financial institutions group and Shane Taylor as managing director of global banking. (Reporting by Denny Thomas;) ((denny.thomas@reuters.com; +61 2 9373 1812; Reuters Messaging: denny.thomas.reuters.com@reuters.net)) ((If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com))