Stuart Riley: HSBC’s Tech Chief Tackling Banking’s AI Future

Stuart Riley joined HSBC as Group Chief Information Officer in February 2024 after 14 years at Citigroup, where he had risen to Co-CIO and overseen technology for 50,000 staff across 100 countries. 

Eight months into his tenure at HSBC, the bank expanded his role to include Data and Innovation – recognition that his approach was delivering results.

Building foundations at Deutsche Bank and beyond

Stuart’s professional journey began in earnest when he founded TAG Consulting in 1996, serving as partner and development manager for five years before transitioning to major banking institutions. 

This entrepreneurial experience provided valuable insights into working within smaller firms, complementing his later corporate leadership roles.

His move to RBS in 2002 as Technology Manager for FX eCommerce marked his entry into investment banking technology, followed by a significant six-year tenure at Deutsche Bank from 2003 to 2010. 

During his time at Deutsche Bank, Stuart progressively advanced through roles including Head of Rates eCommerce, Global Head of Sales technology and ultimately Global Head of Global Finance & Foreign Exchange Technology.

Transformational leadership at Citigroup

Stuart’s 14-year tenure at Citigroup, beginning in 2010, proved to be the defining period of his career. 

He initially joined to run eCommerce in Sales & Trading, leading the development of Citi Velocity, an industry-leading suite of digital products that became widely adopted across the industry.

His progressive advancement through various leadership positions across Capital Markets, Securities Services, Investment Banking, Trade and Treasury and Private Banking culminated in his appointment as Global Head of Institutional Client Group Technology. 

In this role, he led a team of over 50,000 technologists and operations personnel across 100 countries, managing an operating budget exceeding US$4bn annually.

Stuart’s promotion to Co-Chief Information Officer in September 2023 saw him spearheading AI initiatives and overseeing global technology and infrastructure. 

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, 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.