HSBC has strengthened the infrastructure and real estate group (IRG) in its global banking division, with a series of senior external and internal appointments announced on October 4 across its global franchise, including in Asia-Pacific.

The new additions and appointments will accelerate HSBC's ambition to be a leading bank in large-scale infrastructure initiatives across the globe, from increasing interest in renewable energy in markets transitioning to a low carbon economy, to China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Helen Li joins as co-head of IRG for Asia-Pacific, working alongside James Cameron, also co-head of IRG for the region. Li was previously with Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she was head of power, utilities and infrastructure for Asia. She will be based in Hong Kong.

Christian Hepp was named global co-head of real estate, based in London. He joins from Jones Lang LaSalle, where he was head of M&A for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Nicola Free was appointed a managing director in the IRG financing team, also based in London. She was formerly with AIG, where she was co-head of international origination in the commercial mortgage team.

Another hire based in London was Giulio Hoffman, who recently joined as managing director in the power, utilities and renewables team from Macquarie.

Sean Harvey recently joined as a director in the real estate financing based in Sydney. He was previously with National Australia Bank, where he was head of property and development finance.

Another appointee based in London was Nikolay Iankov, who joined as a director in the IRG financing team from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

The other appointments to IRG from within HSBC were Olivier Gibert, who was named global head of infrastructure, and Kara Wang, who was appointed global co-head of real estate. Gibert was previously head of transport services and infrastructure for Asia-Pacific, while Wang was most recently a managing director in the real estate team and is based in Hong Kong.

Robert Todd was appointed global head of power, utilities and renewables. He was previously head of renewables and cleantech. Chris Hignell was named head of infrastructure and transport services and logistics for Asia-Pacific. He moves from advisory and is based in Japan.

Alex Thomas is named director in IRG. He was previously an M&A banker and is based in London.