TECH & AI
His pioneering work in AI at Citi included early recognition of data’ s importance for AI, leading significant investments in private cloud infrastructure.
Leading HSBC’ s digital future Stuart joined HSBC as Group Chief Information Officer in February 2024, tasked with leading the bank’ s technology strategy and enabling delivery of an efficient, resilient and innovative digital bank for customers.
Within months, he demonstrated exceptional capability, energy and values, earning appointment to the Group Executive Committee and an expanded role encompassing Data and Innovation responsibilities.
“At HSBC, we’ re investing in foundational AI capabilities alongside our ongoing projects, which will enable us to accelerate and expand AI utilisation across the bank”
STUART RILEY, GROUP CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, HSBC
At HSBC, Stuart is pursuing the bank’ s Digitise strategy while untangling a notoriously complex IT infrastructure.
The bank now uses AI in over 600 applications, from fraud detection to customer service. Stuart’ s view on AI cuts through the hype:“ Whilst some overestimate AI’ s short-term impact, I believe many significantly underestimate its long-term potential”.
Commitment to social impact and innovation Beyond his corporate achievements, Stuart maintains strong commitments to diversity and education initiatives. At HSBC, he serves as Executive Sponsor for Strive UK, an employee resource group supporting colleagues from different economic backgrounds.
He also serves as an expert member of Teach First’ s Technology Committee, helping drive major technology transformation and engagement with educational technology to address educational disadvantage. Stuart’ s recent appointment to Quantexa’ s board in February 2025 reflects his growing influence beyond HSBC’ s walls.
He also advises HiveNet on environmentally sustainable cloud computing and sits on BP’ s Digital Advisory Council as the energy giant grapples with its net-zero transition.
For someone who started as a software engineer, Stuart has managed to stay remarkably close to the technical coalface while climbing the corporate ladder – a combination that’ s increasingly rare in banking’ s upper echelons.
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