HSBC Appoints Christopher Chua as Global Head of M&A, Focusing on Asia and Middle East

HSBC Holdings plc has appointed Christopher Chua as its new Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), effective immediately. Chua, who previously served as HSBC's Asia Head of M&A, will continue to be based in Hong Kong. He succeeds Kamal Jabre, who departed for JPMorgan in May 2025.

Chua brings over 20 years of experience advising international blue-chip companies on complex cross-border M&A transactions. His promotion aligns with HSBC's strategic focus on enhancing its M&A capabilities in Asia and the Middle East. This move follows the bank's recent scaling back of M&A and equities operations in Europe and the Americas to concentrate on regions where it holds a competitive advantage.

In January 2025, HSBC announced plans to wind down its M&A and some equities businesses in Europe, the UK, and the Americas, marking one of its most significant retrenchments from investment banking in decades. The bank aims to reallocate resources to areas with higher growth potential, particularly in Asia and the Middle East.

Under the leadership of CEO Georges Elhedery, who assumed the role in September 2024, HSBC has been undergoing a significant strategic overhaul. The bank has been scaling back its M&A and equities operations in Europe and the Americas to focus on Asia and the Middle East, regions where it sees a competitive advantage. This restructuring includes merging HSBC's commercial bank with its global banking and markets business, targeting cost reductions, and preparing for a possible drop in profits due to declining interest rates.

HSBC's appointment of Christopher Chua as Global Head of M&A underscores the bank's commitment to strengthening its presence in Asia and the Middle East. This strategic focus aligns with broader industry trends, as financial institutions increasingly concentrate on regions with higher growth prospects. The bank's restructuring efforts aim to enhance its competitive position and better serve clients in these key markets.

Chua's promotion reflects HSBC's strategic priorities and the evolving landscape of global banking. The bank's focus on Asia and the Middle East positions it to capitalize on emerging opportunities in these regions.