INVESTMENT banker Neville Gardiner will be jetting off to New York next week to introduce Aust-ralian companies to clients of US giant Merrill Lynch, his new employer. Perth-based Mr Gardiner recently started with Merrill Lynch as head of investment banking for natural resources in Australia, taking responsibility for all activity in mining as well as oil and gas. The new role comes after nine years in WA with Macquarie Bank Ltd, most recently as WA head of corporate finance and national head of oil and gas corporate advisory services. Mr Gardiner is understood to be actively looking at growing a Perth team. He will report to Merrill Lynch (International) Australia Ltd managing director and head of investment banking, Geoff Brunsdon. At Macquarie, a replacement is being sought for Mr Gardiner in the corporate finance role reporting to WA head of investment banking Craig Carter.
