RBC REORGANIZES EUROPE ENERGY BANKING TEAM

Royal Bank of Canada is reorganizing its team of European energy dealmakers as traditional oil companies increasingly focus on reducing carbon emissions. Matthew Coakes, who has spent more than a decade at the bank, has been appointed head of energy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to an internal memo seen by Bloomberg. he replaces Martin Copeland, who left the firm to join energy boutique Kirk Lovegrove & Co. Coakes will lead the firm’s European energy transition initiative along with ralph Ibendahl, head of renewables coverage in the region, the memo shows. The bank is seeking to tap its relationships with oil and gas companies as they plan investments in low-carbon infrastructure and new renewable technologies.