HSBC Holdings PLC (LSE:HSBA) has confirmed Brendan Nelson as its new group chair, following a search that looked at candidates both inside and outside the bank.
Nelson has been serving in the role on an interim basis since 1 October and joined the board in 2023.
He is a long-standing figure in financial services, having led KPMG’s global financial services practice and served on the boards of BP, RBS and HSBC.
Ann Godbehere, the senior independent director who oversaw the selection process, said the board was “delighted” with the appointment, adding that Nelson had shown “excellent leadership capabilities backed by his strong banking and governance credentials” during his interim tenure.
Nelson said he was “honoured” to take on the chairmanship permanently and looked forward to working with the board and management team “as we deliver on our strategic and financial objectives”.
He will continue to chair the group audit committee until HSBC publishes its 2025 results in February, after which the bank will outline its plans for that role.