HSBC Singapore CEO Kee Joo Wong On Why Their Partnership with the SVNS World Series Globally and in Singapore is Vital

On the eve of the HSBC Singapore SVNS 2025 taking place, we sat down pitchside in the new HSBC Hot Seat at the Singapore National Stadium to talk with HSBC Singapore CEO, Kee Joo Wong, about the shared values of the bank which has been present in the country for more than 100 years and rugby’s values, as well the importance of sports grassroots engagement and having the likes of Abby Gustaitis and Dan Carter in town as HSBC Rugby Ambassadors.

Feature Photo Credit – HSBC Sport – HSBC Sports clinic held at the National Stadium before the Singapore SVNS 2025.

“We are expecting an exciting weekend of rugby here in Singapore,“ said the CEO. “And we’re sitting in this new innovation which we haven’t talked about before, but these hot seats are located on the corner of the field and very close to the action so it will be amazing for those who do get to sit here. It will be amazing because the people that sit here will see the players warm up right in front of them and as they enter the stadium and leave the field –  they really are front-row seats and are literally beside the pitch.”

HSBC has been a long-standing global supporter of rugby and rugby sevens so we asked Kee Joo Wong what it means for HSBC Singapore to be involved in hosting the HSBC SVNS in Singapore.

HSBC Singapore CEO Kee Joo Wong

“We have been sponsoring this event and working with World Rugby for about nine years now in Singapore and sports is really a big component of what HSBC does in terms of its sponsorship. We just finished an HSBC women’s golf event in Singapore which we’ve done for 17 years, and I guess the question is really around why sports, right? 

One of the things that we want to do is ensure that we are able to bring great sporting events into Singapore, and we want to bring the best of the world into Singapore for the community to really enjoy it. That community element is a very important part of what we do. Whilst we are a bank and we do international business in Singapore, it’s also clearly important for us – and we’ve been in Singapore for 148 years – to ensure that we are very embedded with the community and give back to the community in different shapes and forms. 

I think sporting events and the spirit of sports really have the values that we engender as an organisation. Those values of teamwork, camaraderie, grit, resilience, and having a purpose and having goals. Those are really important component parts.”

HSBC and Grassroots Sporting Events – HSBC Singapore CEO Kee Joo Wong

Minutes before we started our conversation, HSBC Global Ambassador and Olympian Abby Gustaitis, Great Britain captain Harry Glover, along with local Singapore Rugby Union representatives had been running a clinic at the field in the stadium – which over the coming days will welcome tens of thousands of fans to see the best 24 Rugby Sevens teams in the world compete, as well as local representation from the schools, SEA 7s and the Ruck and Rumble youth rugby event.

We asked him to explain the purpose of the clinic which is a rare opportunity for local youths to be playing in the magnificent National Stadium in Singapore.

Photo Credit – HSBC Sport – HSBC Rugby Clinic held at the National Stadium as part of the Singapore SVNS 2025

Kee Joo Wong explained, ”The clinic is part of an avenue for us to enable the communities in Singapore to enjoy sports. Today, we’re working with the Strait Times Pocket Money Fund, which helps children from disadvantaged families who normally will not necessarily get a chance to get engaged in rugby as a sport, because some of the schools in Singapore don’t really play rugby. These kids have expressed an interest and it’s a way for us to ensure that we give them an opportunity and a right to play sports and get them interested in the sport itself and the weekend.

I think it’s a great way for us to engage in the community and we’ve been doing this at different sporting events. Apart from rugby, we’ve had the HSBC women’s golf event I mentioned where we hold clinics and engage in working with charities, such as lady golfers for example. We also have a badminton event coming up and these events give us a real sense of purpose, too and ensure that the communities get to benefit.

The Value of the HSBC Ambassadors as Role Models

The HSBC Global ambassadors are present at all of the World SVNS Series events and we asked him if he had taken any lessons from engaging with Olympians and Rugby World Cup winners such as those present in Singapore.

“Truth be told, I’ve yet to engage with the ambassadors here today, but in previous years, when I have spoken to the ambassadors and rugby, I think the lessons you can probably learn are around the sense of purpose and discipline and the sense of camaraderie and leaving a legacy and I find that quite interesting. 

I was reading the book from the All Blacks called ‘Legacy’ which talks about purpose, humility, and leaving a legacy behind, teamwork. These are such important parts of becoming embedded in society. It’s not just about business.

I see kids today, and a lot of times they’re so consumed by social media and being on their screens and I think these sporting activities really get them to interact, and build their networks. and understand teamwork and how to work with each other to achieve a common purpose. That is something which I think it’s really valuable. And from a health perspective, it’s good for them to go out on the field, get some air, and from a mental well-being perspective, it adds a lot of value to children.”

Photo Credit – HSBC Sport – HSBC Rugby Clinic held at the National Stadium as part of the Singapore SVNS 2025 – Abby Gustaitis HSBC Global Ambassador

Impactful Sporting Events

On the topic of gender equity and giving youths the chance to engage with their sporting heroes, as they will get to do in Singapore this weekend at the Rugby Sevens, the Singapore HSBC CEO told us, “I think gender equality in sports, and giving everyone the right access and recognition is very important.

I have seen kids being inspired, and taking up sports, and know that it’s possible and it can be done. They see it in real life at these events so being involved and having these global events is important as they are a huge inspiration to the kids, and give them a sense of purpose and a sense of a goal.”

His final message to fans in Singapore and further afield who are still considering coming down to see two days of thrilling rugby (never mind the range of activities and entertainment planned) from 5-6 April, Kee Joo Wong said, “Come on down and enjoy the event and the games. We’re going to have the greatest party here and it’s always a great event to experience with all of the world-class players giving their best.”

HSBC Sevens News 2025

• SEA 7s 2025 – Singapore SVNS 2025.
• HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 Events And Fan Guide.
• DJ Forbes – This Sport I love Is Really Special.
• Third Leg Of HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger 2025 – Krakow.