Cécile Ratcliffe

Cécile Ratcliffe was appointed Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Continental Europe effective June 1, 2026, subject to regulatory approval. She succeeds Christopher Davies, who served as interim CEO since January 1, 2026. HSBC selected Ratcliffe to lead its Continental Europe operations, with the bank viewing the region as a key growth market and setting an ambition to become a major player in financing and the leading international bank for corporate and institutional clients.

Ratcliffe has over three decades of experience in corporate finance and international markets, having joined Citigroup in 1993. Most recently at Citi, she served as Chief Country Officer and Head of Banking for France (2021-2026), after previously being head of markets for France, Belgium and Luxembourg (2017-2021). Earlier roles included Chief Country Officer for Belgium (2015–2017).

She holds degrees in economics, finance and management from Sciences Po Paris, the University Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (D.E.A. in market finance and international banking strategy) and Université Paris IX Dauphine. As CEO, Ratcliffe is focused on strengthening HSBC Continental Europe's position as a super-connector between major trading centres, particularly Europe, Asia and the Middle East, supporting clients' growth and combining innovation with high standards of governance. Under her early leadership, HSBC Continental Europe achieved recognition in Euromoney's 2026 Cash Management Survey as the #1 Cash Management provider and #1 Client Service in Western Europe, marking the bank's 4th consecutive year as #1 Global Cash Management Provider.

Career history

• Chief Country Officer and Head of Banking for France, Citigroup (2021-2026)
• Head of Markets for France, Belgium and Luxembourg, Citigroup (2017–2021)
• Chief Country Officer for Belgium, Citigroup (2015–2017)
• Multiple senior roles in Corporate Banking and Institutional Coverage at Citigroup (1993-2015)

What Cécile Ratcliffe could bring to her role at HSBC Continental Europe: With 33 years of experience navigating corporate finance, markets, and international banking across multiple European countries at Citigroup, Ratcliffe brings deep expertise in cross-border connectivity and institutional client relationships—precisely aligned with HSBC Continental Europe's mission to serve as a bridge between European clients and the bank's global network. Her track record establishing market leadership in cash management and her commitment to fostering collaborative, diverse cultures position her to accelerate the region's growth trajectory and strengthen HSBC's competitive position in continental European wholesale banking.