Goldman Sachs to open Perth office

Global investment banking and securities firm Goldman Sachs is establishing a permanent Perth base, which it expects to open on August 1.

The office will be headed by former Macquarie Capital natural resources division director Peter Watson.

Mr Watson will also become an executive director in Goldman Sach’s natural resources team.

“Perth is a critical business and financial centre in Australia and is a key centre for the natural resources sector and contributes to a significant amount of M&A and financing activity,” Goldman Sachs said in an internal memo to Asia Pacific staff today.

“To date we have covered our Perth client base from the Australian east coast, but we believe a permanent Perth presence is critical to allow us to better serve our clients in this market.”

The Perth office will comprise investment banking, equity sales, global investment research and private wealth management divisions.