Shaun Wallis appointed HSBC Brazil CEO

HSBC has announced that HSBC Malta chief executive officer Shaun Wallis has been appointed CEO of HSBC Brazil and will be leaving Malta on May 1. HSBC Malta's new CEO, Alan Richards, has been transferred here from HSBC Australia.

HSBC Brazil is the sixth largest privately-owned bank in the country and has over 1,700 offices with a staff complement of 27,000 serving more than 10 million customers.

Mr Wallis has been serving as CEO in Malta for four years and has been a member of the board of directors for nine. In his years at the helm of Malta's largest publicly listed company, the bank has achieved record financial results and contributed to the local community through its charitable activities. During his tenure, HSBC also contributed to Malta's social and economic development by making the most of EU membership by supporting such initiatives as the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Malta two years ago, and Finance Malta, being proactive in the euro changeover process and attracting foreign investment, including its own HSBC Global Call Centre to Malta.

In a message to HSBC staff, Mr Wallis praised their loyalty and commitment, saying "Malta is a wonderful country and I am so pleased to have lived here and honoured to have worked with such a great team."

While sad to leave, Mr Wallis said he has fond memories of Malta and has made many new friends that will ensure he returns.