16 Facts About Michael Geoghegan

Michael Francis Geoghegan CBE was born on 4 October 1953 and is an international banking business executive, who served as the chief executive of HSBC from 26 March 2006 to 31 December 2010.

Michael Geoghegan joined HSBC in 1973 and had previously led the group's South American and European operations.

Michael Geoghegan was born in Windsor, England and educated in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Michael Geoghegan joined HSBC in 1973 as an international manager and, since then, spent twelve years in North and South America, eight years in Asia, seven years in the Middle East and three years in Europe.

Michael Geoghegan was appointed a group general manager of HSBC Holdings plc in the same year.

Once Michael Geoghegan was appointed chief executive and a director HSBC Bank plc on 1 January 2004, he gave up the position of UK CEO on 6 March 2006 which was in turn filled by Dyfrig John.

Michael Geoghegan was named Deputy Chairman of HSBC Bank plc 26 May 2006.

Michael Geoghegan shifted the chief executive's office of HSBC Group from London to Hong Kong on 28 January 2010, while the chairman remained in London.

Michael Geoghegan became the chairman of The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.

Michael Geoghegan's detractors noted that while he was effective at getting things done, they argued that his blunt style was unsuited to leading the board and representing HSBC with heads of government, and his appointment as chairman would flout UK governance guidance that discouraged chief executives becoming chairman.

On 23 September 2010, Michael Geoghegan announced he would step down as chief executive of HSBC.

Michael Geoghegan was succeeded as chief executive of HSBC by Stuart Gulliver, while Green was succeeded as Chairman by Douglas Flint; Flint was serving as HSBC's finance director.

Michael Geoghegan remained with HSBC as an adviser until 30 June 2011.

Michael Geoghegan argued that claims of what could happen to The City in case of Brexit were exaggerated and that, upon leaving the EU, the UK would move into a position of strength "because Europe needs Britain far more than Britain needs Europe," deriving from the assumption that Brussels would seek to retain unfettered access to the UK and because Britain imports more goods from Europe than are being sold there.

However, Michael Geoghegan urged Brexit campaigners to acknowledge the EU's laudable ambition to prevent another devastating European war.

Michael Geoghegan is not a UK resident and has non-domiciled tax status.