HSBC has revealed that Celine Herweijer, its Group Chief Sustainability Officer, will be departing the bank by year-end. Julian Wentzel, who currently leads Global Banking for MENAT, will step in as the Interim Group Chief Sustainability Officer.

This change follows HSBC’s recent leadership overhaul in October, where the bank replaced its 18-member Group Executive Committee with a streamlined 12-member Group Operating Committee, excluding the Chief Sustainability Officer role from its primary decision-making body.

Celine Herweijer joined HSBC in 2021 as Group Chief Sustainability Officer and a member of the Group Executive Committee. During her tenure, she played a key role in shaping the bank’s net-zero strategy, including setting decarbonisation targets for its portfolio. Earlier this year, HSBC unveiled its inaugural Net Zero Transition Plan, detailing its approach to financing and supporting the shift to net zero while advancing its climate objectives. Before joining HSBC, Herweijer was the Global Sustainability and Innovation Leader at PwC.

In a sgatement by HSBC, the bank said, “Celine has made a lasting impact on the Group and leaves with our thanks and best wishes for the future,” adding that “supporting the transition to net zero remains a priority for HSBC, and one of the four pillars of our business strategy.”

Herweijer said, “I am deeply proud of what we have achieved at HSBC to support the global sustainability agenda. I believe that HSBC – as one of the world’s largest banks – has a key role to play in financing the transition across the global economy and supporting our customers.”