With over 20 years’ in-house banking experience, Henk Crouse first joined HSBC to establish its South African presence; a significant development in the jurisdiction’s financial services sector.

‘It was a fascinating and challenging experience, and something totally new to me’, Crouse says. ‘Our success was largely due to maintaining sight of the big picture, while working collaboratively alongside colleagues from other functions, and externally with regulators’. Crouse is rated highly by the law firms he instructs, as well as internally, where his sterling technical knowledge, common sense and leadership skills are highlighted by sources.

During his time at HSBC, he has taken steps to ensure his team proactively manage risks while partnering with the business to help the group achieve its objectives. He takes a particular interest in the management of his team. ‘As general counsel for Africa, I personally take responsibility for keeping my team motivated and engaged – not only about their legal responsibilities but also about the bank and its products’. Crouse previously established the legal function for Nedbank’s retail section, in his first in-house role.