Merrill names new head of global equity capital markets

LONDON, May 9 (Reuters) - Merrill Lynch (MER.N: Quote, Profile, Research) has named Rupert Hume-Kendall as its new chairman of global equity capital markets to drive deals from emerging markets and to capitalise opportunities worldwide.

Replacing Jim Birle, Kendall will continue his role as Merrill's vice chairman of EMEA investment banking, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.

Kendall has held several regional leading roles in ECM, corporate broking and financing.

The Wall Street bank ranked No. 4 in global equity capital markets in the first quarter this year, according to Thomson Reuters data. (Reporting by Daisy Ku; Editing by David Cowell)