Charles Lee Moncrieff died suddenly but peacefully in Doha, Qatar on 23rd September 2008, shortly before his 50th birthday.

Charles joined the HSBC Group in 1983 with his first posting to Dubai followed by assignments in Bahrain, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Singapore before moving to Abu Dhabi in July 2000 as Senior Manager and finally moving to Doha as Chief Executive Officer in 2006.

Charles will be very fondly remembered by all who had dealings with him during his time in Abu Dhabi where he was an active member of the local business community as well as a very popular and friendly person who contributed greatly to the broader Abu Dhabi community.

During his time in Abu Dhabi, he very substantially increased the Bank’s business, successfully expanding its activities and raising HSBC’s local profile to new levels. Charles was an active member of the British Business Group and of its Committee, was always helpful to British companies who were seeking to establish new business in Abu Dhabi. Charles was active in the local community too and served on the Board of the Al Khubairat Community School as well as on the Board of The Future Centre School for Children with Special Needs.

The affection and respect which Charles enjoyed from his work colleagues and friends alike, was reflected in the well-attended Memorial Service held at St. Andrew’s Church in Abu Dhabi on 25th September where he was remembered as a very hard-working banker, a strong leader and a man who combined professionalism with a tremendously warm sense of humour that touched everyone who had the pleasure to know him.

Charles’ funeral took place on 3rd October at the Parish Church of Canford Cliffs & Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset. The service included touching tributes from his family, work colleagues and friends and was followed by a farewell reception held in the beautiful garden that Charles loved so much at his home nearby and which was attended by many old friends and colleagues, including a strong contingent from Abu Dhabi.

Charles’ wife Robyn, daughters Natasha and Charlotte and son Harry have highly appreciated the messages of support that they have received and have asked that anyone who wishes to make a tribute to Charles can do so in the form of a donation to Hope Qatar, a school for special needs students that Charles had supported.
Matthew Hollis