HSBC appoints Australia chief to lead Singapore

HSBC has appointed Tony Cripps, chief executive of HSBC Australia, to lead its group in Singapore, with effect from April 3, 2017.

Mr Cripps succeeds Guy Harvey-Samuel, who will retire from HSBC after more than 38 years at the bank.

As CEO of HSBC Singapore, Mr Cripps will be have responsibility for leading HSBC through its next phase of growth and investment in Singapore.

In its 'Pivot to Asia' strategy unveiled in June 2015, HSBC said it would prioritise and accelerate investments in Asia, with a specific focus on the Pearl River Delta and Asean. Within Asean, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia have been earmarked as priority markets.

Prior to becoming the CEO of HSBC Australia, Mr Cripps held several positions with HSBC including CEO HSBC Philippines and leadership positions in HSBC's global banking and markets business in London and Hong Kong. Mr Cripps was also appointed a non-executive director of HSBC Bank (Singapore) in 2016.

Under Mr Harvey-Samuel, HSBC Singapore went through a period of transformation including investment in its branch and digital networks and the local incorporation of HSBC's retail banking and wealth management business in 2016.

Mr Harvey-Samuel will continue to serve HSBC by succeeding Gordon French as non-executive chairman of HSBC Bank (Singapore) later this year, subject to obtaining regulatory approval.