William Purves (banker)
Sir William "Willie" Purves, is a Scottish banker. 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.
Born in Kelso, Scotland, Purves attended Kelso High School before commenced training with The National Bank of Scotland in 1948. This was interrupted by National Service in Korea, during which time he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order – the only National Service officer to have won this honour. 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.
Retiring from HSBC in 1998, he played a large role in overseeing the transition from British to Chinese rule in the territory's significant financial services sector.
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.
