Spanish-born Jaime Amoedo has hit the ground running since his arrival in the island nearly a year ago as country head of commercial banking at HSBC.

But perhaps we should say walking instead of running.

For father-of-two Mr Amoedo, 49, has set himself a goal in what little spare time he has here.

He plans to eventually try and walk every road in the island.

Mr Amoedo told Business News: ’I’m enjoying walking around this lovely island very much.

’I’ve printed a large map of the Isle of Man which I have in my living room.

’I’m drawing in green all the different roads I’m using because eventually I want to go to every part of the island.

’I’ve started in Douglas and eventually I want to go all over the island, including the coastal footpath. I’m hoping the map will get completely covered in green.’

But Mr Amoedo acknowledges it could be quite some time before he achieves his walking target, because these are very busy and ’exciting’ times at HSBC in the island.

As well as heading up the bank’s business for corporate and commercial customers, Mr Amoedo also took on responsibility for HSBC’s overall presence in the Isle of Man.

He oversees HSBC’s business activities in the jurisdiction, represents the bank in various corporate and regulatory forums and takes a lead on the bank’s initiatives with what it calls ’local community partners,’ charities and organisations the bank has chosen to work with.

Mr Amoedo has 27 years of experience in the international banking industry, half of that within HSBC in working in Spain, Turkey and Italy.

Most recently, he came from a position in Milan, where he was based for two years, as both head of multinationals and international subsidiary banking and head of the global banking client management group.

Our interview took place on a floor of HSBC’s base in Ridgeway Street where a new commercial banking centre is expected to open in the spring.

Mr Amoedo said it reflects the bank’s commitment to the island with a large investment in the work.

And the busy retail branch downstairs is also to be refurbished, says Mr Amoedo.

’We are really excited to be doing this now. It will be fantastic for our people and allow us to further improve customer experience.

’But it is not just infrastructure as we continue investing in our people and our head count continues to grow and grow.’

There are more than 170 people working for the bank in the island.

Mr Amoedo said the bank is proud to have a worldwide presence and this is reflected by the fact their expat business would be able to facilitate the opening of accounts around the globe from the island for existing expat customers.

As an example he said: ’Imagine a French entrepreneur who is actually travelling the world with his multinational business or organisation and is now relocating, for instance to the UK.

’So from here we can actually help them to open accounts in that country.

’We can co-ordinate that process from here.’

The new corporate centre will provide fantastic facilities for both existing and new corporate customers.

Mr Amoedo says HSBC iskeen to welcome more diversity among its team members.

Over the past year the corporate team has been expanding.

’A year ago we had three nationalities in the team. Today it is seven, and that has been achieved in 12 months, including Japanese, Indian, South African and Turkish.

’And from a language perpective we can speak to customers in 12 different languages. That makes a difference as well.

He said the bank was well placed for helping Isle of Man companies that want to do business in countries around the world. He said HSBC branches are found all over the world. Mr Amoedo said the bank’s determination to invest in its customers and the future has come from the top downwards.

’Last year our global chief executive explained his vision in terms of the strategy for the bank for the coming years.

’He said himself that we have been through a period of transformation internally and the bank is now slimmer and more efficient and more customer-centric than ever.

’And that now is the time to grow with ambition. And that is reflected in my job here in the Isle of Man.

’It is now time to invest in the island.’

The positive mood at HSBC is also reflected in the arrival of Sue Fox, as the new chief executive of HSBC in the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Sue was previously chief executive of Marks and Spencer Bank, which is part of the HSBC Group and Mr Amoedo will be working closely with her.

Mr Amoedo, who came to live in the Isle of Man with his wife Raquel and their two children, said: ’In my country [Spain] people know about the Isle of Man mainly because of the TT. In Spain motorcycling is a very big thing. Last summer I was hearing Spanish voices all over the place, which was nice.

’Once you are here in the Isle of Man you realise how incredibly beautiful the island is and how friendly people are.

’I’ve worked in and studied in different countries over the years, but I’ve never been in a place where the people are so genuinely welcoming and friendly.

’That is very important, not only for me coming to work here but also for people that want to come here to do business. So they feel welcome.

’Also the infrastructure supporting businesses, people feel the government here is very open and approachable and very business orientated, much more thansome other jurisdictions.’

Mr Amoedo means business.

Window on the world: Jaime Amoedo dk190129(8)

Sue Fox is new chief executive