HSBC Group CEO Michael Geoghegan was in Malta last week to address some 1,000 bank employees, part of his Global Roadshow during which he visits 18 countries in 16 days. Starting in Buenos Aires on 5 October and rounding off in London on 20 October through the five continents, Mr Geoghegan's stopovers take him to the best performing banks in the HSBC global network.

Malta has been an integral part of the Group CEO's Roadshow since it became an annual event in 2006.

During his two-hour presentation at the historic Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Mr Geoghegan gave a rundown of the Group's performance over the past year and the strategy for 2010 in the context of the challenging scenario in the world's financial markets.

Mr Geoghegan said moving his office to Hong Kong in February 2010 was important for a more physically hands-on running of the Group's strategy to focus on emerging markets. "Asia in general and China in particular is the centre of gravity of the financial world at the moment. There will be opportunities for growth and HSBC is in a strong position to develop business. To drive this strategy, you've got to be in Hong Kong, as it's the gateway to China," he said.

The Roadshow also serves as an opportunity for HSBC staff to raise issues and pose questions directly to the Group CEO. Mr Geoghegan has often said that what he values most of all is the opportunity of meeting his colleagues face-to-face to get the perspective of people on the ground. "It's amazing, even in different countries, how often the same subject will come up. When it does, you know that's what people are worried about; that's where a problem may lie."