From March 2020 to September 2024, Sir Noel was CEO of HSBC Group, having first held the position on an interim basis from August 2019. Under his leadership, HSBC delivered record profits, returned to top-tier returns, exited non-core businesses in Canada and Argentina, and strengthened its focus on Asia while championing sustainable finance and simplifying global operations. He stepped down in September 2024 to pursue a portfolio career and was knighted shortly thereafter for services to finance and Net Zero goals.

Earlier in his career, Sir Noel built commercial banking expertise across HSBC’s global footprint. He led the Global Commercial Banking division (2015-2019) and served as Regional Head in Asia-Pacific (2011-2015), based in Hong Kong. His earlier roles included heading Commercial Banking in Europe and the UK, alongside positions in insurance strategy and equity finance.

He brings deep cross-sector expertise in:

• Global financial governance & transformation – steering one of the world’s largest banks through profitability restoration, strategic simplification, and capital reallocation

• Sustainability & net zero finance – leading the bank’s environmental transition strategy and advocating for industry-wide green standards

• Geopolitical risk & emerging markets strategy – prioritising Asia, managing regulatory complexity, and navigating shifting macroeconomic environments

• Board-level financial & regulatory stewardship – transitioning seamlessly into governance roles across banking, energy, and sustainability ecosystems

He’s a chartered accountant (trained at Grant Thornton) and was educated at Birmingham Polytechnic. Recognised for his steady, disciplined leadership and depth across commercial, regulatory, and sustainability domains, Sir Noel is a mentor to executives balancing global finance with responsible growth.