HSBC has hired a former cash equity sales head at Societe Generale and Citigroup to lead sales coverage for UK accounts, as it looks to build on a strong first-half showing in the business.

The UK bank has appointed Ian Burns, most recently at French bank Societe Generale, to head pan-European cash equity sales for UK clients, according to two people familiar with the appointment. He will join after a period of gardening leave and report into Nicolas Tranter, European head of equity sales.