HSBC’s former uk ECM head to join shore capital in senior origination role

Shore Capital has hired Richard Fagan, formerly head of UK equity capital markets at HSBC, to lead origination as the broker expands its corporate client franchise. The move, announced Thursday morning, follows HSBC’s strategic retrenchment in western ECM and M&A that has prompted a series of senior departures across the City.

Shore’s roster already spans names such as Hilton Food Group, J Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer, and the firm is seeking to deepen mandates as London listings remain thin.

Chief executive Simon Fine described Fagan as bringing “a considerable breadth of knowledge and experience across capital markets,” adding that the appointment builds on the broker’s recent momentum. For HSBC, the shift in focus to Asia and the Middle East has reshaped deal teams and accelerated the reshuffling of talent to rivals. Industry data show UK IPO volumes remain subdued as issuers weigh valuations and international venues, keeping brokers focused on secondary capital raisings and retained corporate broking work.

Analysts said the hire underscores the intense competition among mid-market advisers for seasoned rainmakers who can originate across growth, consumer and industrial names. While regulatory reforms aim to revive the London market, corporate finance pipelines still hinge on stabilising inflation and clearer interest-rate visibility. In the interim, brokers with resilient fee lines from retained clients and balance-sheet flexibility are expected to fare best.