HSBC ropes in Zia Mody as ED

Zia Mody (pictured), a leading expert in corporate law, has been appointed as a non-executive director of the UK-based Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC).

Mody is a senior partner at AZB & Partners, a law firm with offices in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Prior to AZB, she was associated with New York-based Baker & McKenzie. Mody had lead a team from AZB as legal advisor for Tata Steel's $285 million acquisition of steel businesses of NatSteel Ltd.

Several Indians hold senior management positions at HSBC. Zarir J Cama is the deputy chairman and chief executive officer of HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad. Bobby Mehta heads the US operations of the bank and is the chief executive officer of HSBC North America Holdings Inc.

HSBC also had an Indian as its CEO. Aman Mehta was appointed as CEO in January 1999. He had over 35 years of experience in various positions with the HSBC Group. He retired in 2003.

Naina Lal Kidwai is currently the vice-chairman and managing director of HSBC India. Prior to joining HSBC, Kidwai held senior positions at JM Morgan Stanley. She was vice-chairman, JM Morgan Stanley, and head of JM Morgan Stanley's investment banking operations.