HSBC appoints new Dr No

Apr 18, 2002

IO (International officer) Alastair Bryce moves from Indonesia to Hong Kong.

HSBC's deputy CEO in Indonesia has been appointed as the bank's new head of credit and risk management for the investment banking and markets businesses - a role traditionally known as Dr No because it often requries holding eager investment bankers back from doing deals which pressure the balance sheet.

Bryce, a dry wry Scot of the traditional HSBC mould, cut a well known figure as HSBC deputy CEO in Indonesia. No simple job, his direct predecessor had flown his own plane to branches around the archipelago.

Commentators say that Bryce is the perfect man to fill the role of Dr No because in Indonesia he must have long forgotten how to say yes.

In his place, Rakesh Bhatia will transfer from Singapore where he has been head of syndications for South Asia. Bhatia has been employed by HSBC for 15 years and seen previous stints in India, the Middle East, Hong Kong and London.