Archive · 3 Oct 2025
HSBC's Head of ECM in MENA to Exit Amidst Overhaul
HSBC is losing another top banker in the Middle East.
This is happening because the bank is making big changes, including cutting jobs.
Christopher Laing, who helped with major deals like the Saudi Aramco IPO, is leaving.
While HSBC is shrinking its business in other regions, it is trying to grow its investment banking in the Middle East.
The bank has been relocating top talent to this region.
The Middle East is seeing more companies selling shares to the public.
HSBC's head of equity capital markets for the Middle East is set to depart.
The departure is part of a broader restructuring under CEO Georges Elhedery.
HSBC is cutting jobs and reducing its investment banking in some regions.
The bank aims to expand its ECM and M&A practice in the Middle East.
The Middle East is an active market for share sales, with over $5.3 billion raised this year.
- Who
- Christopher Laing, an HSBC executive
- What
- Is leaving HSBC as part of a larger restructuring.
- When
- Laing is set to exit after 8 years.
- Where
- HSBC operations in the Middle East
- Why
- Due to a broad shake-up and restructuring at HSBC.
- Key Figure
- Christopher Laing, Head of ECM for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa
- Previous Role
- Head of Emerging Markets ECM at Deutsche Bank
- HSBC Tenure
- 8 years
- Recent Move
- Relocation of 3 managing directors from London to Middle East in the last four months
- IPO Involvement
- Arranged Saudi Aramco's $29 billion listing in 2019
- HSBC's Goal
- To build on ECM and M&A practice in the region