Barclays’ EMEA M&A Head in their 30s Shows Strong Performance

Stephen Pick, the around 38-year-old head of EMEA M&A at Barclays, has seen success in the first half of 2025, less than a year into the role. His team’s efforts have led to a significant increase in Barclays’ market share in the UK, a critical location for the bank.

Based on data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), Barclays’ share of the UK M&A advisory market has risen from 17% in the first half of 2024 to 32% in the first half of 2025. This increase has elevated Barclays to the 3rd rank in the UK M&A market, up from 5th place the previous year, resulting in the displacement of Morgan Stanley and Citi from their higher positions.

Barclays’ decision to appoint Pick as the EMEA head has been proven successful so far. Although considered an unconventional choice due to his recent move from Credit Suisse in August and his promotion to managing director just two years prior, Pick was well-regarded within Credit Suisse and had a close relationship with Cathal Deasy, a former Credit Suisse banker now leading Barclays’ investment bank.

The bank’s success in the UK market this year can be attributed to its involvement in various deals across different sectors such as energy, industrials, real estate, and finance. Notable transactions include advising on Constellation Energy’s acquisition of Calpine and Primary Health Properties’ acquisition of Assura. With a background in energy banking from his time at Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, Pick has been instrumental in Barclays’ achievements.

In a strategic move to boost revenues and reduce the cost-to-income ratio, Barclays recently cut 200 jobs and enlisted McKinsey & Co. to explore automation opportunities. Winning M&A deals involves more than just offering quality advice; Barclays’ involvement in facilitating deals like Rosebank Industries’ $1.9bn acquisition of ECI, supported by $900m in new debt facilities, underscores the bank’s multifaceted approach to M&A transactions.

The fluctuating trends in the UK market, as seen in the slowdown of M&A activity in 2024 followed by an upswing in 2025, indicate the challenges and dynamic nature of the industry. Despite the ever-changing landscape, Barclays, under the leadership of Stephen Pick, has managed to navigate these challenges and emerge as a strong player in the competitive M&A advisory market.