Barclays Capital, the investment banking unit of Barclays PLC (BCS), said Tuesday it has appointed Marc Benton in the newly created role of Asia-Pacific head of oil and gas group.

"(Benton's) appointment is an integral part of the strategic build out of our investment banking business in Asia-Pacific, which is one of Barclays Capital's key priorities for the region this year," said Matthew Ginsberg, Barclays Capital's Asia-Pacific head of investment banking.

Barclays started its push into equity capital markets and the mergers and acquisitions advisory business last year, expanding its focus from fixed income and lending.

The bank hired Ginsberg earlier this month from Morgan Stanley to oversee that process.

Barclays said Benton will oversee mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing and risk solution transactions in the sector, and will report to Carlos Fierro, global head of the natural resources group and Richard Gallivan, Asia-Pacific head of corporate finance.

Benton was previously at Nomura Holdings Inc. (8604.TO) where he held a similar role, it added.

-By Amy Or, Dow Jones Newswires; 852-2832 2335; amy.or@dowjones.com