FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
April 2008
HSBC Holdings plc
42nd Floor, 8 Canada
Square, London E14 5HQ, England
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F).
Form 20-F X Form 40-F ......
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934).
Yes....... No X
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ..............)
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 of
Latin America, has been promoted to a Group Managing Director and Head of HSBC
Latin America with effect from May 2008. Paul Thurston, currently Chief
Executive of HSBC Mexico and Co-head of Latin America, is also promoted to a
Group 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 Brazilian
operations, the sixth largest privately owned bank in the country, since
September 2003. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, he previously ran HSBC Insurance in
Brazil and was formerly responsible for personal financial services. Emilson
will move to Mexico and report to Group Chief Executive, Michael Geoghegan. He
will 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 the
UK, before running HSBC's personal financial services businesses in Hong Kong
and across Asia. He became Chief Executive of HSBC Mexico, where HSBC is the
fourth largest financial services company, in February 2007 and Co-head of Latin
America in August 2007. Paul will return to London and take over responsibility
for HSBC's retail and commercial operations in the UK from Dyfrig John, Chief
Executive, HSBC Bank plc.
Dyfrig, 57, will continue to run the continental European operations of HSBC
Bank plc. He will also be appointed Deputy Chairman of HSBC Bank plc with effect
from May 2008.
Both Emilson and Paul will join the Group Management Board, HSBC's global
management team chaired by Group Chief Executive, Michael Geoghegan.
Commenting on the appointments, Michael Geoghegan said: "Starting with less than
10 offices a decade ago, we have built one of Latin America's banking
powerhouses, with over 4,000 offices today and a US$2.2 billion profit
contribution to the Group last year. Along with Asia and the Middle East, where
HSBC is the number one international bank, Latin America forms a crucial part of
our leading emerging markets franchise. It's a region which continues to present
us with great opportunity, not least with many economies growing by well over
five per cent a year. I have no doubt that Emilson and the team will take this
forward with tremendous skill and enthusiasm.
"Our UK business continues to be a significant contributor to the Group and we
have potential to improve further our positioning in this country, building on
our strong market presence and customer base, innovative retailing and by
harnessing our global capabilities. Paul will be returning to the UK, where he
previously worked for 25 years, with the benefit of considerable experience
gained running businesses in other markets, to lead the focused growth of our UK
business 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's
largest domestically owned bank. Born in Mexico, Luis, 48, has worked for 25
years in Mexico and the United States, including 21 years with Banamex/Citigroup
where he was previously Deputy President for the Hispanic Market and Chairman of
the 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, where
HSBC 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 for
the Group, and made a very significant contribution to the Maltese community. He
has been with the Group for over 30 years, working in Asia, the Middle East, and
in Europe. He will report to Emilson in his new role.
Alan Richards, currently Deputy Chief Executive of HSBC Bank Australia, will
succeed Shaun as Chief Executive in Malta. Alan, 48, joined HSBC in 1984 and has
worked across Europe and Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Turkey
and the UK. Prior to joining HSBC in Australia, Alan was Head of Retail Banking
in Turkey.
"It is testament to the bench strength of HSBC that we can continue to make
international appointments on this scale from within our own ranks, while
selectively hiring the best external talent available to enhance the HSBC team,"
said Michael Geoghegan. "I'd like to congratulate Emilson, Paul, Shaun and Alan
on 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 around
10,000 offices in 83 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific
region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of some US$2,354
billion at 31 December 2007, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and
financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'The world's
local bank'.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HSBC Holdings plc
By:
Name: P A Stafford
Title: Assistant Group Secretary
Date: 15 April 2008