15th Apr 2008 09:30
HSBC Holdings PLC15 April 2008 HSBC MAKES KEY INTERNATIONAL APPOINTMENTS * LatAm specialist promoted to run the region * * new MD for UK retail bank * * new CEOs for Brazil, Mexico and Malta * Emilson Alonso, currently Chief Executive of HSBC Bank Brasil and Co-head ofLatin America, has been promoted to a Group Managing Director and Head of HSBCLatin America with effect from May 2008. Paul Thurston, currently ChiefExecutive of HSBC Mexico and Co-head of Latin America, is also promoted to aGroup Managing Director and will return to the UK in May as Managing Director,UK Banking. Emilson, 52, joined HSBC in 1997 and has run the bank's 1,391 branch Brazilianoperations, the sixth largest privately owned bank in the country, sinceSeptember 2003. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he previously ran HSBC Insurance inBrazil and was formerly responsible for personal financial services. Emilsonwill move to Mexico and report to Group Chief Executive, Michael Geoghegan. Hewill have responsibility for all HSBC's operations across Latin America. Paul, 54, joined HSBC in 1975 and had a broad range of banking experience in theUK, before running HSBC's personal financial services businesses in Hong Kongand across Asia. He became Chief Executive of HSBC Mexico, where HSBC is thefourth largest financial services company, in February 2007 and Co-head of LatinAmerica in August 2007. Paul will return to London and take over responsibilityfor HSBC's retail and commercial operations in the UK from Dyfrig John, ChiefExecutive, HSBC Bank plc. Dyfrig, 57, will continue to run the continental European operations of HSBCBank plc. He will also be appointed Deputy Chairman of HSBC Bank plc with effectfrom May 2008. Both Emilson and Paul will join the Group Management Board, HSBC's globalmanagement team chaired by Group Chief Executive, Michael Geoghegan. Commenting on the appointments, Michael Geoghegan said: "Starting with less than10 offices a decade ago, we have built one of Latin America's bankingpowerhouses, with over 4,000 offices today and a US$2.2 billion profitcontribution to the Group last year. Along with Asia and the Middle East, whereHSBC is the number one international bank, Latin America forms a crucial part ofour leading emerging markets franchise. It's a region which continues to presentus with great opportunity, not least with many economies growing by well overfive per cent a year. I have no doubt that Emilson and the team will take thisforward with tremendous skill and enthusiasm. "Our UK business continues to be a significant contributor to the Group and wehave potential to improve further our positioning in this country, building onour strong market presence and customer base, innovative retailing and byharnessing our global capabilities. Paul will be returning to the UK, where hepreviously worked for 25 years, with the benefit of considerable experiencegained running businesses in other markets, to lead the focused growth of our UKbusiness in key areas of opportunity." In Mexico, Paul Thurston will be succeeded as Chief Executive by Luis Pena,until recently Chief Executive of Grupo Financiero Banorte Mexico, the country'slargest domestically owned bank. Born in Mexico, Luis, 48, has worked for 25years in Mexico and the United States, including 21 years with Banamex/Citigroupwhere he was previously Deputy President for the Hispanic Market and Chairman ofthe California Commerce Bank. Luis will report to Emilson. In Brazil, Shaun Wallis, 53, will take over from Emilson as Chief Executive,HSBC Bank Brasil. Shaun is currently Chief Executive, HSBC Bank Malta, whereHSBC is the island's largest publicly listed company. Under Shaun's leadership,the bank has achieved record profits for over 10,000 local shareholders and forthe Group, and made a very significant contribution to the Maltese community. Hehas been with the Group for over 30 years, working in Asia, the Middle East, andin Europe. He will report to Emilson in his new role. Alan Richards, currently Deputy Chief Executive of HSBC Bank Australia, willsucceed Shaun as Chief Executive in Malta. Alan, 48, joined HSBC in 1984 and hasworked across Europe and Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Turkeyand the UK. Prior to joining HSBC in Australia, Alan was Head of Retail Bankingin Turkey. "It is testament to the bench strength of HSBC that we can continue to makeinternational appointments on this scale from within our own ranks, whileselectively hiring the best external talent available to enhance the HSBC team,"said Michael Geoghegan. "I'd like to congratulate Emilson, Paul, Shaun and Alanon their latest assignments and warmly welcome Luis to our Group." The appointments are subject to local regulatory approvals where required. Notes to editors: 1. HSBC Holdings plc HSBC Holdings plc serves over 128 million customers worldwide through around10,000 offices in 83 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacificregion, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of some US$2,354billion at 31 December 2007, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking andfinancial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'The world'slocal bank'. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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