Based in New York City, he will manage HSBC’s commercial banking operations across the US, Canada and Bermuda.
Watkinson succeeds Christopher Davies who has been named deputy CEO for HSBC China.
In his new role, Watkinson will report to Irene Dorner, president and CEO, HSBC Bank USA, and functionally to Alan Keir, group managing director and global head of commercial banking.
Prior to this role, Watkinson served as an executive vice president, national head of commercial banking and regional president, central and eastern Canada for HSBC Bank Canada.
Before his role in Canada, he was president and CEO of HSBC Philippines and also served as senior vice president and group head of corporate middle markets in the US.
The bank said that Watkinson’s successor in Canada will be named in due course.
