About Me

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 with an Australian bank in London 3 years prior to HSBC, I had therefore completed 40 years in full time banking. In 2011 in a return to the industry, I became non-executive Chairman of HSBC Bank Middle East Limited. I do other things for the HSBC Group, principally as non-executive Chairman of their subsidiaries in Egypt and Turkey, and Adviser to the CEO of the Global Commercial Bank Risk Committee.

I currently hold a number of other advisory positions and directorships, among them:

I joined PwC as Senior Adviser in 2005, and remained with them until June 2014. I stepped down due to a perceived conflict of interest issue as they had successfully been awarded the Audit of the HSBC Group.

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 Honorary Voting Member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. 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 an Adviser to Singapore based Southern Capital Group and to the Global Institute for Tomorrow (GIFT). 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

• 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)
• Honorary Doctorate from the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (2011)