Meet Julian Wentzel, HSBC’s New Chief Sustainability Officer

HSBC has appointed Julian Wentzel as its new Group Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), following a short stint in the position on an interim basis.

Julian became interim CSO following the departure of Celine Herweijer in November 2024. She had been in the job for three years.

“I am delighted to be confirmed today as Group Chief Sustainability Officer for HSBC,” Julian says.

“Supporting the transition to net zero is a priority for HSBC and for the customers we serve.

“In my previous roles, I’ve worked at the forefront of supporting our customers — some of whom face the most ambitious and challenging transitions — to finance and deliver against their sustainability ambitions and to identify innovative solutions to enable their progress. 

“I am looking forward to leveraging this experience at greater scale as we work with our customers to support them in continuing to advance their transition priorities, and to realise the benefits of a more resilient global economy for our businesses, our shareholders, and the markets we operate in.”

Who is Julian Wentzel, Group CSO of HSBC?

Julian joined HSBC in 2015 and has worked in the banking sector for more than 25 years.

His career has taken him around the world, working in multiple geographies and sectors.

This has armed Julian, HSBC says, “with a strong background of navigating complex global challenges, identifying innovative solutions and has excellent relationships with regulators and stakeholders”. 

“His leadership will be key in supporting our commitment to sustainability as he brings a strong client and commercial lens to this agenda, having latterly focused on HSBC’s sustainability ambitions and transition to net zero,” the bank continues.

His previous roles include Head of Banking HSBC Africa, Head of Global Banking UK and International Europe and Head of Global Banking MENAT, before taking on the CSO job on an interim basis.

This is the first time Julian has worked in a role with sustainability at its core.

Julian says of his appointment: “Thank you to Georges Elhedery, Pam Kaur and the Group Operating Committee for their support and engagement so far, and to colleagues in sustainability and across the bank for their determination and commitment to our ongoing success in this critical agenda. 

“I look forward to continuing to work with you, our clients and our partners as we move forward.”

What did Celine Herweijer achieve as HSBC’s CSO?

Julian’s predecessor Celine Herweijer played an instrumental role in advancing HSBC’s sustainability initiatives.

One such initiative is HSBC’s Net Zero Transition Plan. 

This showcases the bank’s commitment to aligning its operations and financial activities with global climate targets, aiming for net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The biggest commitments in HSBC’s Net Zero Transition Plan are:

• Sustainable finance: HSBC aims to provide and facilitate between US$750bn and US$1tn in sustainable finance and investment by 2030, aiming to support clients in their transition to low-carbon business models and investments in clean energy technologies
• Sector-specific targets: The bank has established 2030 financed emissions reduction targets for high-emitting sectors. These include a 34% reduction for oil and gas, 77% for power and utilities, 28% for cement, 42% for iron, steel and aluminium, 25% for aviation and 65% for automotive, compared to a 2019 baseline
• Innovative partnerships: HSBC has launched a US$100m five-year Climate Solutions Partnership with the World Resources Institute (WRI) and WWF. This collaboration aims to scale up climate innovation ventures and nature-based solutions, remove deforestation from palm oil supply chains and accelerate the transition to renewables in Asia.

Celine’s tenure at HSBC will be remembered for her groundbreaking approach to corporate sustainability — a legacy Julian will step into and aim to continue.

Her initiatives have established a solid framework for her successor to expand on, as the global financial institution strives to decrease its own carbon footprint and that of its investments and clientele.

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