Biography
I retired as Chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Hang Seng Bank Ltd., and as a main board Director of HSBC Holdings in 2005 after 37 years with the HSBC Group, all of which was spent in the Middle and Far East. Having started a banking career in London 3 years prior to HSBC, I had 40 years in banking. And in 2011 in a return to the industry, I became non-executive Chairman of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited.
I currently hold a number of other material advisory positions and directorships, including:
- Senior Adviser to PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Lead Independent Non-Executive Director of Noble Group
- Member of the Dubai International Financial Centre Higher Board.
- Commander of the British Empire (CBE) - for contribution to banking
- Gold Bauhinia Star awarded by the Government of Hong Kong SAR (2004)
- Justice of the Peace.
- Honorary DBA from the City University of Hong Kong
- DHL/SCMP Hong Kong Business Person of the Year (2003)
- Honorary Citizen of Seoul in recognition of my work for the city.
- Lifetime Achievement award by the Asian Banker (2006) and in 2011 was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts.
I was appointed in 2008 by then President Lee Myung Bak of South Korea as a Member of, and Special Adviser to, the Korea National Competitiveness Council, Office of the President; I believe the first foreigner to hold such a position. This appointment ended in December 2012 following the end of Mr. Lee's term as President.
I am an Honorary Steward and Voting Member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, having stepped down while Deputy Chairman due to the pressure of my international travel. I was a member of the Board of the Mass Transit Railway Corporation, a former Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and spent five years as Chairman of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority.
I was a Founding Member of the Seoul International Business Advisory Council, which I chaired for four years. I am currently Chairman of the Advisory Board of Asiya Investments, which is a Middle Eastern investment company with interests in Asia, Adviser to Chartis, and to the Singapore based Southern Capital Group. In addition to these, I am involved in a number of Government, professional and community appointments in Hong Kong and Overseas. I am also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (FCIB)
So why do I Blog? Basically, happily, because I am still asked for opinions on a variety of subjects and find this a convenient way to share my views. When my opinions are no longer sought I will stop airing them publicly. Simple as that!
Awards & Accolades
