HSBC and Trade

Trade animation

Duration: 1:24

[Man]

It all begins with trade.

Everything you buy comes from somewhere, and it’s finance that brings it to you.

From the seed of an idea that grows, matures, transforms, each time changing hands until it reaches yours.

HSBC connects the world through trade.

Infused with our finance, materials change, borders are crossed, capital is unlocked and industries flourish.

Trade brings component parts together to become something new, something real.

HSBC has been financing new ways to trade for 160 years, around the globe and in the digital world, across services bought and delivered by businesses entirely online.

HSBC is the world’s largest and best trade bank drawing perspective from a storied past to power you through an unclear future, providing direction and confidence, and opening up a world of opportunity.

© HSBC Group 2026

Isle of Harris Distillery case study

Duration: 00:02:29

Speakers:

[Ron]

This business is predicated on a culture which is distinctive to the island and that’s very precious to us and it’s a part of our soul, our identity and it’s something that we intend to preserve.

[Text on screen]

Ron MacEachran
Executive Chairman and CFO
Isle of Harris Distillery

[Ron]

We wanted to do something to re-energise the economy of Harris and then create a business that provided long-term employment.

The distillery opened its doors in September 2015.

From the outset this was a commercial venture that had to be commercially successful.

[Sandra]

The business has grown hugely starting with a team of 10 back in 2015.

[Text on screen]

Sandra Harris
Guest Team Supervisor
Isle of Harris Distillery

[Sandra]

But now to think that we have 46 members of staff in our payroll for a small island like Harris with less than 2,000 people of a population that is huge.

It’s giving opportunities for people to remain on the island.

[Stephanie]

We’ve got a fantastic opportunity to support a young, dynamic, ambitious business that needs financing to grow but also needs advice when it comes to international expansion.

[Text on screen]

Stephanie Betant
Head of GTRF
HSBC UK

[Ron]

HSBC demonstrated an understanding of the challenges that the young business had, particularly one that was quite distinctive by its location, and that relationship’s evolved and developed since.

That relationship provides us not just with finance but with that kind of level of insight that you get from an organisation that’s working across a sector.

[Shona]

We’re standing in one of our three maturation warehouses on the shores on the west side.

[Text on screen]

Shona Mcleod
Master Blender and Guest Services Manager
Isle of Harris Distillery

[Shona]

I don’t think we ever imagined that something like this could be so successful in Tarbert and hugely proud of it.

[Ron]

To succeed internationally is absolutely vital for us.

Fundamentally, as a Scotch whisky business, we have to succeed internationally in order to secure our future.

[Stephanie]

For a company like Isle of Harris, which is looking to expand internationally, it’s hugely valuable to be able to bring that insight into what makes international companies successful.

We cover more than 50 countries, 90% of international trade flows.

So, seeing how they expand, helping them do that is truly very exciting for us.

[Sandra]

It’s not what we’re doing for ourselves, it's what we can do for the future, for the generations to come behind us.

I’ve got two boys myself. And to think that there is a possibility of them possibly wanting to work here at the Harris distillery one day, that for me means more than anything.

[Text on screen]

HSBC | Opening up a world of opportunity

© HSBC Group 2026