HSBC names new head of sustainability for Australia

HSBC has announced the appointment of Charis Martin-Ross as Head of Corporate Sustainability for Australia.

In his new role, she would be responsible for leading the implementation of HSBC’s climate strategy in Australia while also providing counsel for key sustainability, reconciliation and climate-related matters.

Martin-Ross has more than 20 years’ experience to the role, working most recently as senior manager for sustainability at Allianz Australia. Prior to this, she held roles across a range financial services organisations including NAB and Macquarie Bank.

“We are pleased to welcome someone of Charis’ calibre to the team and believe her diverse experience will assist us in furthering our sustainability focus,” Antony Shaw, chief executive of HSBC Australia, said.

“As a bank, we are committed to ensure we are operating sustainably across all communities we operate in, while also working with clients to assist with their transition plans, Charis will be play a key role in delivering on this commitment.”

HSBC said it would continue to pursue a climate ambition to become net zero in its operations and supply chain by 2030, and align its financed emissions to the Paris Agreement goal of net zero by 2050.

Within Australia, HSBC was the sustainability coordinator on nine of the 26 transactions closed in 2022.