Nomura appoints Umberto Giacometti as Global Head of Financial Sponsors Group
15 OCT, 2026
By Joanna Piwko from RankiaPro Europe
Nomura has appointed Umberto Giacometti as Global Head of Financial Sponsors Group, giving him responsibility for leading the bank's activities with large private equity funds, family offices and financial investors worldwide. The appointment highlights the central role financial sponsors play in Nomura's investment banking growth strategy. Giacometti will also continue as Co-Head of Investment Banking Italy.
A broader mandate across regions and products
The new role expands Giacometti's responsibilities. He will now lead a business the group considers strategic, with a mandate to strengthen coordination across regions and to make the most of Nomura's integrated offering of advisory, Investment Banking and Global Markets products for financial investors. He will also oversee how the division's product offering evolves, adapting it to new market opportunities and changing client needs.
'I am pleased to take on this new role and to contribute further to the growth of our financial sponsors business globally,' said Giacometti. 'In a constantly evolving market, it will be essential to anticipate client needs, broaden our offering and give financial investors access to Nomura's solutions and expertise across international markets.'
Doubling EMEA sponsor activity
Giacometti joined Nomura in 2019 and most recently served as Head of EMEA Financial Sponsors Group. Since 2024, he has also been Co-Head of Investment Banking Italy, a role created as part of the bank's push to strengthen its presence in the Italian market.
During his time at Nomura, he helped double the bank's investment banking business with financial sponsors in EMEA, building relationships with some of the leading private equity funds and international investors. The promotion makes him the first Italian manager to hold such a senior position within the bank.
Patrice Maffre, International Head of Investment Banking at Nomura, said: 'This appointment underscores the importance of financial sponsors as a core and growing client base for Nomura. As the market evolves, we remain focused on anticipating client needs, strengthening our product offering and connecting sponsors with the expertise and solutions Nomura can provide globally.'
Career background
Before joining Nomura, Giacometti built extensive investment banking experience at HSBC, where he was Head of European Financial Sponsors, and at Rothschild, working on acquisitions, disposals and financings in Italy and across Europe. Over his career, he has worked with major international investors in sectors ranging from technology and industrials to healthcare and services.
