Heidi Miller to be chair of HSBC North America as Rona Fairhead retires

HSBC Holdings said on Friday that board member Heidi Miller will become the chair of HSBC North America at the end of the year as Rona Fairhead will be retiring from the role at the bank’s 2016 annual general meeting

Deputy chairman Simon Robertson will also retire on that day, while board member Safra Catz will stand down at end of 2015.

In addition, HSBC said it has appointed Henri De Castries and Paul Walsh as independent non-executive directors with effect from 1 March and 1 January next year, respectively.

De Castries has more than 25 years of international experience in the finance industry and has been chairman and chief executive officer of AXA, while Walsh was group CEO of Diageo from 2000 to 2013.

Chairman Douglas Flint said: “The appointments of Henri de Castries and Paul Walsh bring substantial additional strength to the HSBC board. Their extensive international business experience and track record in shaping growing businesses, including undertaking business portfolio realignments, will further strengthen the existing skills on the HSBC board.”