William Purves (banker)

Sir William "Willie" Purves, CBE, DSO (Chinese: 浦偉士, born 27 December 1931) was a Scottish banker until his retirement in 1998. 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]

The Honourable
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 (1931-12-27) 27 December 1931[1]
Kelso, Scottish Borders, Scotland
Spouses
Diana Troutbeck Richardson
​
​
(m. 1958⁠–⁠1988)​
    Rebecca Jane Lewellen
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1989)​
    Civilian awardsCommander of the Order of the British Empire
    Grand Bauhinia Medal (Hong Kong)
    Military service
    AllegianceUnited Kingdom
    Branch/serviceBritish Army
    Battles/warsKorean War
    Military awardsDistinguished Service Order

    Biography

    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. He retired in 1998.[5]

    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.

    See also

    References
    1. Mosley, Charles, ed. (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood (107 ed.). Burke's Peerage & Gentry. p. 3230. ISBN 0-9711966-2-1.
    2. Erik Ipsen (23 April 1992). "Hongkong Bank Chief Turns Up Heat on Midland". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
    3. "The London Gazette". The London Gazette. No. 39420. 28 December 1951. p. 6740. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
    4. "History of the KSOB – 20th and 21st Centuries". Retrieved 15 October 2012.
    5. "Sir William Purves - If I had to start again". Management Today. 1 December 2003. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
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