Eldon

David Gordon Eldon GBS CBE JP (born 14 October 1945) is a British banker and businessman. Born in Inverness, Scotland, he served as Chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation from 1999 to 2005. He is currently Senior Adviser at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Non‑Executive Deputy Chairman of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, and Non‑Executive Chairman and Director of Octopus Holdings Limited, Octopus Cards Limited, and Octopus Cards Customer Funds Limited.

Career

Eldon grew up in London and began his career at the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. In 1968 he joined the Midland Bank group in the Middle East (now HSBC Middle East). Over 37 years with the HSBC Group, he held roles in special projects in Hong Kong (1979), Assistant General Manager in Riyadh for the British Bank of the Middle East (1984), head of multinational clients in Hong Kong (1987), and regional CEO for Malaysia (1988).

In April 1992 he returned to Hong Kong as General Manager for Hong Kong and China, later becoming Group General Manager for International Banking. He was appointed Executive Director of HSBC in Hong Kong in 1994, Chief Executive in January 1996, and Non‑Executive Chairman of Hang Seng Bank on 1 June 1996. He became Chairman of HSBC Hong Kong and Executive Director of HSBC Holdings from 1 January 1999 until retiring on 27 May 2005. He also served on the board of Swire Pacific until May 2005 and joined PricewaterhouseCoopers as Senior Adviser on 1 September 2005. He chairs the Latham Group and the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority.

Eldon has held numerous public and charitable positions, including Chairman of the Pacific Basin Economic Council, member of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Greater Bay Area Business Council, and Director of the MTR Corporation. He was Chairman of the Community Chest of Hong Kong, Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, and Chairman of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Disabled Children. He joined the board of the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1996, was elected Vice‑Chairman in August 2006, and retired in March 2008.

Personal life

Eldon married in 1975 and has three children. One son works in Hong Kong, and his daughter returned from the UK after completing university. Eldon has spent one third of his life in Hong Kong and intends to continue residing there.

Thoroughbred interests

A member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and part of the “HSBC Syndicate,” Eldon has owned horses such as My Ambition, South American Joy, Summit Peak, Supreme Rise (in partnership), Majesty’s Bestowal, City Placard, Stylish Time, Dragon Overlord, Family Benefit, Wealth Expert, Leader’s Triumph, The Big Boss, Mighty Officer, Dominant Monarch, Fast Master, Gallant Steed, Noble Legend, and Falcon Pavilion.

Honours

• Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers
• Fellow, Hong Kong Institute of Bankers
• Justice of the Peace
• Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, City University of Hong Kong (November 2003)
• DHL/SCMP Business Achiever Award (2003)
• Gold Bauhinia Star (2004)
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2005)