HSBC’s local custody and clearing division is looking to fill the big shoes of its departing head of client management, who has spent six years at the bank and 14 before that at the Westpac sub-custody business it eventually purchased.

John Butler has taken on an equivalent role at HSBC’s Singapore office, beginning in March.

A spokesperson for HSBC said senior executives are regularly moved around as management likes them to have international experience.

The role has been advertised internally and externally, in Australia and overseas.

The spokesperson said there has been a “huge” response to the advertised position, with the company currently interviewing potential candidates.

Butler worked his way up at Westpac between 1987 and 2001, before stints in senior client roles at Commonwealth Custodial Services and National Asset Servicing. Butler can take some credit for the high level of customer retention following the sale of Westpac’s sub-custody business to HSBC in 2006.

The backoffice veteran was on the board of the Australian Custodial Services Association, and was instrumental in the return of the annual ACSA Awards at its annual conference over the last couple of years.