Last checked at 
(Adds context)
By Pamela Barbaglia and Lawrence White
LONDON, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Investment banker Francesco
Ceccato is taking the helm of Barclays' Irish unit, where the
bulk of its European business has shifted in recent years
following Britain's vote to leave the EU, according to an
internal memo seen by Reuters.
Ceccato, a seasoned banker who has spent the past decade at
Barclays, succeeds Kevin Wall who is retiring.
The British bank has a licensed business in Dublin -
Barclays Bank Ireland - which has been gradually morphed into
its main European hub ahead of Brexit.
Its decision to bet on 50-year-old Ceccato to run its
European operations follows a stellar performance by Barclays'
investment banking business in the first quarter of the year
which helped it weather the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Francesco brings a wealth of experience and a strong client
focus which will help to drive the continued success of Barclays
Europe," said Barclays Bank Ireland chair Helen Keelan.
Ceccato, an Italian native, has worked in both London and
New York, holding senior roles at GE Capital, Bear Stearns and
JPMorgan, before moving to Barclays where he was initially in
charge of strategy and corporate development.
He rose quickly through the ranks and worked closely with
boss Jes Staley to divest a series of non-core units including
the bank's French and Italian retail business.
In his new role - which is set to start in late September -
Ceccato will focus on expanding the bank's client network and
helping clients access the group's services across the region.
(Reporting by Pamela Barbaglia, Lawrence White and Rachel
Armstrong; Editing by Marc Jones and Pravin Char)
