Independent investment bank Lazard has promoted two of its most senior bankers, including naming the man advising the Greek government on its debt restructuring as its global head of M&A.

Lazard announced in a statement on Thursday that Matthieu Pigasse, chief executive of Lazard France since 2009 and one of the most colourful figures in European investment banking, has been named global head of M&A and sovereign advisory - a new role.