The race to replace outgoing HSBC chief executive John Flint includes RSA Insurance Group CEO Stephen Hester, according to a Sunday Times report.
Flint’s shock exit last month after only 18 months in the role was reportedly due to disagreements with HSBC chairman Mark Tucker. In thanking Flint for his “dedication” after 30 years at HSBC, Tucker said that the board “believes a change is needed to meet the challenges that we face and to capture the very significant opportunities before us.”
According to the Sunday Times, HSBC has hired executive recruitment firm Egon Zehnder to help with the search process – with Hester being on the shortlist. Hester’s extensive leadership experience includes five years as the CEO of Royal Bank of Scotland before taking the reins of RSA in 2014.
The shortlist also reportedly includes Stephen Bird, CEO of global consumer banking at Citigroup, and HSBC interim CEO Noel Quinn.
