Dame Carolyn Fairbairn to be appointed chair of HSBC UK Bank plc

HSBC Holdings plc (‘HSBC’ or ‘Group’) today provides an update on succession for a key subsidiary board role which will further strengthen the alignment and connectivity with the Group.

In accordance with the PRA Ring-Fencing Rules, and corporate governance best practice, Dame Clara Furse will retire as non-executive Chair of HSBC UK Bank plc in 1H26 after serving 9 years.

In line with HSBC Board’s succession planning activity, Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, currently Chair of the HSBC Group Remuneration Committee, will assume the role of non-executive Chair of HSBC UK Bank plc by the end of 1H26, subject to regulatory approval. Dame Carolyn’s proposed appointment follows a robust succession process which considered both internal and external candidates.

Dame Carolyn brings deep experience of the UK commercial and business environment and as well as the role of UK businesses in an international context. Her customer-oriented perspective, strategic acumen, regulatory expertise and strong stakeholder management experience, make her ideally suited for the role. She will remain an independent non-executive Director of HSBC Holdings plc and Chair of the Group Remuneration Committee.

Brendan Nelson, Group Chairman, will step down as an independent non-executive Director of HSBC UK Bank plc, effective from Dame Carolyn’s appointment to the HSBC UK board.

Group Chairman, Brendan Nelson said:

“I would like to thank Dame Clara for her dedication, commitment and the significant contribution she has made to HSBC during her time as Chair of HSBC UK. I believe that Dame Carolyn’s deep understanding of the UK business and regulatory landscape will be invaluable in the next phase of delivery of HSBC UK Bank’s growth strategy and as we deliver for our investors, customers, communities and employees.”

Media enquiries to:

Neil Fleming
+44 (0)7384792051
neil1.fleming@hsbc.com