HSBC Hires John McDonald from UBS to Lead Marketing Efforts for Wealth Management Expansion

HSBC has hired John McDonald, former group chief marketing officer at UBS, to oversee its marketing efforts. McDonald will join HSBC in October as chief marketing officer. The move is part of HSBC's restructuring efforts under CEO Georges Elhedery, which include focusing on wealth management to provide more stable profits. HSBC aims to become the world's largest wealth manager outside of the US.

HSBC Holdings Plc has hired John McDonald, former group chief marketing officer at UBS Group AG, to oversee its marketing efforts. McDonald will join HSBC in October as chief marketing officer, as part of the bank's ongoing restructuring under CEO Georges Elhedery. The appointment comes as HSBC aims to become the world's largest wealth manager outside of the US [1].

Under Elhedery's leadership, HSBC has been undergoing a significant restructuring, establishing four new businesses to simplify its global network. The bank has also been focusing more on wealth management to provide more stable profits. McDonald's appointment is seen as a strategic move to accelerate growth, increase market share, and build a distinctive brand [1].

John McDonald brings extensive experience in marketing, having previously worked at Mastercard Inc. and UBS. His appointment follows a period of internal restructuring at HSBC, which saw the bank separate the roles of chair and CEO. The appointment of McDonald is part of HSBC's ongoing efforts to attract and retain talent in the face of a competitive job market [3].

Investors looking for value opportunities in the banking sector may find HSBC an attractive option. According to a recent analysis, HSBC has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings estimate revision trend. Additionally, HSBC's forward P/E ratio of 8.95 and PEG ratio of 1.39 suggest that the stock is undervalued compared to its peers [2].

As HSBC continues its restructuring efforts, the appointment of John McDonald as chief marketing officer is a key step in the bank's strategy to become a leading wealth manager. The move underscores HSBC's commitment to innovation and growth in the competitive financial services landscape.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-05/hsbc-hires-john-mcdonald-from-ubs-to-oversee-marketing
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hsbc-vs-uovey-stock-value-154004423.html
[3] https://www.reuters.com/commentary/breakingviews/ideal-new-hsbc-chair-would-be-opposite-its-last-2025-07-30/