HSBC Renews British & Irish Lions Partnership

HSBC has renewed its Principal Partnership of the British & Irish Lions. The partnership, which will run until the end of the next Lions Tour to Australia in 2013, continues the successful association between the touring side and the bank that was first signed in 2007. The agreement means that HSBC is the first Principal Partner to renew a sponsorship with The Lions and will see the bank become shirt sponsor of the team once again.
BIL also announced that for the first time The Lions will play a game in Hong Kong, against the Barbarians.
Sandy Flockhart, Executive Director for HSBC Holdings plc, said at yesterday’s press conference: “We are delighted to renew our association with one of the world’s greatest ever sporting events. Today’s announcement is a demonstration of the continued international appeal of the British & Irish Lions, and HSBC is committed to building on the successful relationship that was forged on last summer’s Tour to South Africa. I have no doubt that the next three years will be an exciting journey for both HSBC and The Lions, and in particular we are looking forward to welcoming The Lions and the Barbarians to Hong Kong, the bank’s spiritual  home, for an historic fixture.”
John Feehan, Chief Executive of BLL and 6 Nations, said: “It is a mark of the partnership that we have built with HSBC that we are able to announce this sponsorship renewal almost three years ahead of the next Tour to Australia. We look forward to working with HSBC over the coming months to ensure that The Lions Tour to Australia in 2013 is a success off the pitch, as well as on it. To be able to confirm today that The Lions will also break new ground with the first ever fixture in Hong Kong will ensure that the Tour to Australia is even more special and includes even more fans”.