HSBC has made one of the biggest changes in its export finance team’s history with an array of new regional head appointments.

Speaking to GTR, Peter Luketa, global head of export credit and global specialised finance at the bank, says: “The message I’m giving out with the new appointments is allowing the next generation of leaders to rise to the fore, to take the business to the next level.”

Luketa highlighted the regional appointments as follows:

Asia
Arnaud Cachard has become the new head of export finance in Asia and Chris Green has left the bank for personal reasons.

Middle East and Africa
Manav Futnani will take over as director head of the Middle East, replacing Jeff Bailey, who’s returning to London to head up a distribution team within project and export finance.

Simon Lee is to take over as director head of Africa, but will still report to Richard Hodder, managing director for Africa and Europe originations. Lee was previously director of project and export finance of Africa and the Middle East.

“We took the resources to where we think the business is and obviously moving Simon to the African team is relevant. On the Middle East front there will be some more changes in regards to enhancing the team, which will be announced,” adds Luketa.

Germanic market
Andrew French has added the Germanic origination to his existing role as head of export finance, Nordic region. French will also report in to Hodder.

Gabriele von dem Bussche, former director of project and export finance in Europe has left the bank.

Russia

Sergey Karmalito has become head of export finance, Russia, reporting locally to Marko Gucijan, who has become the head of capital finance, Russia. Both have a functional line in to Luketa.

Americas
There is no change in the Americas region for the time being, but Luketa alluded to the fact that this may not be the case for long.

Luketa says: “It’s a dynamic business so there will always be some movement around, but this is obviously quite a big change, certainly for my business. But the main reason for the appointments is the desire for others to move for personal reasons and to allow the next generation to flourish.”

The appointments have been made with immediate effect.