A Perthshire banker has been appointed as the new interim chief executive of HSBC in Scotland.
Doug Baikie (38), who was raised in Abernethy and went to Perth High School, is to take over from current CEO John Rendall, who is moving to become head of the company’s Polish operation.
Mr Baikie, who now lives and works in Glasgow, joined HSBC in 1999 and has held a variety of senior roles within the organisation in Scotland, the Midlands and London.
For the past two years he has headed up HSBC’s corporate banking division north of the border.
”I’m delighted to be taking up the role of interim CEO,” Mr Baikie said. ”HSBC has made great progress in the past year, recording growth across its business in Scotland, and I believe the bank has an exciting future.
”I’m very much looking forward to leading the development of the business, and am confident we’ll continue to build on this strong picture.”
Under the previous leadership HSBC established its first branch in Dundee at the Murraygate earlier this year, and Mr Baikie said he was also committed to taking the local operation forward.
”I want to consolidate on the momentum we have built up already,” he said.
Mr Rendall said it had been a privilege to lead HSBC in Scotland and wished his successor well.
He said: ”I’ve been consistently impressed by the level of entrepreneurialism and innovation within the business community in Scotland and believe our international capabilities, our depth of experience and our commitment to supporting our customers has been key to the growth story in Scotland to date.
”A lot has been achieved thanks to the hard work of the team here, and I’m confident the bank will go from strength to strength under Doug’s leadership.”
In the last year HSBC in Scotland recorded growth of 39% in its premier customer category and saw a 38% increase in SME lending balances, with total lending to businesses passing the £1bn mark in February 2012.
Recruitment for a permanent new Scottish CEO is under way but no timescale has been given for an appointment to be made.