Jefferies Hires Barclays’ Gruber to Lead Chemical Deals

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. has hired Gabriel Gruber as global co-head of chemicals investment banking, according to people familiar with the matter, underlying the New York-based firm’s eagerness to expand in Europe.

Gruber was most recently the global co-head of chemicals at Barclays Plc and advised OMV AG on the jumbo merger of its chemical unit with Adnoc’s Borouge Plc. Gruber will be based in Milan with his new role at Jefferies, working closely with Adam Abramson, US-based co-head of chemicals investment banking, the people said, who asked not to be identified as the information is private.