HSBC bulks up DCM

HSBC Markets has hired Florian Schmidt in a move to boost its debt capital markets operations in Asia. Schmidt will be re-locating to Hong Kong from Singapore, where he spent three years as an executive director with Nomura.

Recently, he has been enjoying a six month sabbatical to take time out with his new baby and write a book about trains and travel in Asia. Prior to Nomura, German-born Schmidt spent six years with Deutsche Bank, four of which were based in Hong Kong.

"I almost went back to Germany," he says, "but I decided to stay in Asia because it will be very exciting working for HSBC. I was keen to join a house with a very strong platform in domestic debt capital markets. It's what issuers in the region want at the moment."

Schmidt will report to Stephen Williams, head of Asian debt capital markets and a recent recruit from UBS Warburg. Williams was appointed following the promotion of Mark Bucknall, who now heads HSBC's global debt capital markets operations from Hong Kong.