Finance role at Deutsche

Deutsche Bank has appointed Marla Heller as head of leveraged finance in Australia and New Zealand after a surge in buyout activity from private equity firms.

Heller will transfer from Deutsche Bank's Chicago office where she is responsible for client relationships and loan portfolio management.

Deutsche Bank, which is joint lead arranger for a A$8.7 billion ($10 billion) buyout bid for Qantas, said leveraged buyouts in Australia rose to A$30 billion in 2006, up from A$1 billion in 2005.