Sir Douglas’ extensive experience of board leadership in global financial services helps to focus Board discussion and challenge on the design and delivery of our strategy. His wide-ranging expertise in international, financial and governance matters is an important asset to abrdn, while his collaborative approach helps to facilitate open and constructive boardroom discussion.

In other current roles, Sir Douglas is chairman of IP Group plc, chairman of the Royal Marsden hospital and charity and is a member of a number of advisory boards and trade associations through which he keeps abreast of industry, regulatory and international affairs of relevance to his public company responsibilities.

Previously, Sir Douglas served as Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc from 2010 to 2017. For 15 years prior to this he was HSBC’s group finance director, joining from KPMG where he was a partner. From 2005 to 2011 he also served as a non-executive director of bp plc. He has extensive experience of business in Asia, having been a member of both the Mayor of Shanghai and Mayor of Beijing’s Advisory Boards. He also served as HM Treasury’s Special Envoy for Financial and Professional Services to China’s Belt and Road Initiative between 2017 and 2022.

Sir Douglas was awarded the CBE in 2006 and his knighthood in 2018, both in recognition of his service to the finance industry. In June 2022, he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Glasgow, his alma mater, in recognition of his services to the business community.