HSBC continue their sponsorship

Emma Richards to be their new ambassador

Emma Richards has been signed as an Ambassador for the HSBC Education Trust for the next three years it was announced today.

The partnership has been agreed following Emma’s successful involvement with HSBC earlier this year during her Around Alone campaign when she made sailing history by becoming the youngest competitor and first British woman to ever complete the world’s longest solo yacht race.

Richards’ involvement with the HSBC Education Trust will work in tandem with her on-going title sponsorship with Pindar, the leading international print and electronic media company. They have sponsored Emma for the past four years and have recently acquired the Open 60 Hexagon, which will be renamed Pindar on Friday 26th September in a ceremony in Scarborough, Yorkshire, where the company’s headquarters have been based for over 160 years. Emma will use the new Pindar in a series of high-profile ocean races over the next three years, starting with the Transat Jacques Vabre in November.

The Trust, funded by HSBC, aims to raise standards in education by providing school children with inspirational experiences beyond the classroom. In her role as an Ambassador Emma will host an annual sailing school for children from all over the UK. Her yacht, Pindar, will feature HSBC Education Trust branding throughout the three year agreement, while Emma and the Pindar team will also wear HSBC branding on all official clothing during races.

Emma Richards, skipper of Pindar, commented: "It is great news for sailing that a company of HSBC’s stature is using the sport as a platform for such a worthwhile programme. During Around Alone the HSBC Education Trust opened up a line of communication with children around the world and it was an incredibly rewarding experience to be involved with. I am thrilled that they have decided to renew our relationship by coming onboard for our new campaign and we will have more opportunities to continue to introduce sailing to thousands of children all over the world.”

Sir John Bond, Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings Plc, commented: “We got to know Emma through our involvement with Around Alone and so want to build on our relationship by sponsoring Emma. Therefore I am delighted that she has agreed to become an Ambassador to the HSBC Education Trust for the next three years. We wanted someone who could show young people how far attitude can take you in life and there is no-one better qualified to do that than Emma.”

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of G.A. Pindar & Son, commented: "We are absolutely thrilled that a company of HSBC’s pedigree has chosen to join us in supporting the next stage in Emma’s sailing career. The HSBC Education Trust is a fantastic initiative and we are looking forward to working together over the coming years."