William Purves (banker)
Sir William "Willie" Purves, CBE, DSO (Chinese: 浦偉士, born 27 December 1931) is a Scottish banker. He was the first Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings following the creation of a holding company to act as parent to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation and the Midland Bank following the former's acquisition of Midland in 1992.[2]
Sir William Purves CBE, DSO | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of HSBC Holdings | |
| In office 1990–1998 | |
| CEO of HSBC Holdings | |
| In office 1990–1992 | |
| Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation | |
| In office 1987–1992 | |
| CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation | |
| In office 1986–1992 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 27 December 1931[1] Kelso, Scottish Borders, Scotland |
| Spouse(s) | Diana Troutbeck Richardson ( m. 1958–1988)Rebecca Jane Lewellen ( m. 1989) |
| Civilian awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire Grand Bauhinia Medal (Hong Kong) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch/service | British Army |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| Military awards | Distinguished Service Order |
Born in Kelso, Scotland, Purves attended Kelso High School before commenced training with The National Bank of Scotland (now The Royal Bank of Scotland) in 1948. This was interrupted by National Service in Korea, during which time he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)[3] – the only National Service officer to have won this honour.[4] He rejoined banking in 1954 and moved to Hong Kong to join The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, where he remained for the rest of his working life. In 1986, he became Chairman and CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and was appointed Chairman in 1991 prior to the formation of HSBC Holdings, and as such oversaw the purchase and integration of Midland Bank.
Retiring from HSBC in 1998, he played a large role in overseeing the transition from British to Chinese rule in the territory's significant financial services sector.
Knighted in 1993 and awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal by Hong Kong in 1999, he now lives in London and Oxfordshire. He is married to Lady Purves, and has four children and nine grandchildren by his first wife, Diana Purves.
References
- Mosley, Charles, ed. (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood (107 ed.). Burke's Peerage & Gentry. p. 3230. ISBN 0-9711966-2-1.
- Erik Ipsen (April 23, 1992). "Hongkong Bank Chief Turns Up Heat on Midland". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
- "The London Gazette". The London Gazette (39420). 28 December 1951. p. 6740. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
- "History of the KSOB – 20th and 21st Centuries". Retrieved 15 October 2012.
| Business positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Michael Sandberg |
Chief Executive of HSBC Holdings 1986–1993 |
Succeeded by John Bond |
| Preceded by Michael Sandberg |
Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings 1987–1998 |
Succeeded by John Bond |
| Sporting positions | ||
| Preceded by Sir Gordon Macwhinnie |
Chairman of the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club 1992–1993 |
Succeeded by Sir John Joseph Swaine |
| Order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Yang Ti-liang Recipient of the Grand Bauhinia Medal |
Hong Kong order of precedence Recipient of the Grand Bauhinia Medal |
Succeeded by Henry Litton Recipient of the Grand Bauhinia Medal |