Jefferies has hired an investment banker to lead its coverage of companies in the consumer, food and drinks sectors in Europe, the latest in a series of hires aimed at building its presence in the region.

The US investment bank has taken on Michael Mylonas as head of its European consumer, food and beverage unit, according to two people familiar with the matter. He joins from Nomura, where he worked since the Japanese bank’s acquisition of Lehman Brothers’ European operations in 2008.