HSBC Group CEO moves to Hong Kong

HSBC, the world's leading international and emerging markets bank, is to relocate the principal office of the Group Chief Executive to Hong Kong, in line with its stated strategy to focus on emerging markets and the unique international connectivity that HSBC's global network offers its 100 million-plus customers around the world. The move further positions the Group for the shift in the world's centre of economic gravity from West to East, while HSBC's continued strong presence in major developed markets reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of the global economy and the profile of the Group's customers. The Group was founded in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 1865 and remains the largest international bank in the region. Operating from Hong Kong, the hub for HSBC's Asia-Pacific business, the Group Chief Executive, Michael Geoghegan, will be located in the Group's strategically most important region, with a focus on ensuring its growth potential is fully realised.

The Group Chief Executive will also assume responsibility for developing Group strategy in agreement with the Group Chairman and for recommendation to the Board. As chair of HSBC's executive management team, the Group Management Board, he will continue to drive company performance within Board agreed strategic goals and commercial objectives. HSBC Holdings plc, the Group holding company, remains domiciled in the UK and has no plans to move. It will continue to be resident in the UK for tax purposes.

The Group Chairman and two Executive Directors, Douglas Flint and Stuart Gulliver, will continue to be based in London.