HSBC Commercial Banking has appointed Richard Casburn as Regional International Commercial Manager (RICM) to the Central and East of England team. Richard will provide a dedicated resource to the increasing number of customers in the regions that are doing business internationally.

Richard is one of five new RICMs appointed by HSBC across the UK. Building on HSBC’s strong international capabilities – with 9,500 offices in 86 countries and territories – the RICMs will work closely with local commercial managers enabling their customers to conduct business across borders, jurisdictions and language barriers with greater ease, and manage their payments and cash more effectively.

Having worked in the international commercial banking sector since 1979, Richard brings a wealth of experience to HSBC. In those 30 years, he has worked in a wide variety of roles including foreign exchange dealer, documentary letter of credit examiner, regional sales manager and contract guarantees specialist.

Ian Urquhart, HSBC’s Regional Commercial Director for Central and East of England, said: “Many businesses in the region are looking beyond the UK domestic market, identifying opportunities for growth through international markets. We’re also finding that businesses are looking to simplify their existing international banking. HSBC has a global market presence and through a ‘joined up’ approach we can support client needs as a single global team.

“Richard will help companies in the region – spanning Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Essex and Middlesex – to negotiate the challenges and complexities of doing business internationally. This is a very exciting development for us, as well as existing customers and those businesses we may work with in the future.”

RICMs will offer commercial customers (businesses with a turnover of £500k-£25 million) solutions which draw on HSBC’s unrivalled global presence, including advice on setting up international bank accounts and moving money around the globe, to handling cultural sensitivities, and arranging valuable introductions in key markets. Richard will provide customers with a wealth of information, support and resources to better assist international business decisions.

Casburn added: “I have always been particularly interested in international trade and the opportunities it can provide for local businesses.

“Throughout my career I have taken up a number of roles with international elements so I am really pleased to have been appointed to HSBC, renowned for its international expertise, into a role specifically designed to assist local businesses with their international aspirations.”