Six Bank of Bermuda employees are going on a seven-week secondment to the UK to take part in an HSBC executive trainee development programme.

New bank CEO Philip Butterfield announced yesterday that the staff ? all Bermudian employees in their 30s who have been working for the bank between three and 16 years ? had been identified to take part in the programme alongside participants from HSBC offices throughout 45 countries. He said it was the first of what he hoped would be regular training opportunities through HSBC.

The bank's $1.3 billion sale to multinational banking giant HSBC Plc. closed last month. Mr. Butterfield's appointment as CEO was announced that same day, February 18, with former chief executive Henry Smith taking over the temporary spot as executive director.

Mr. Butterfield said: "We are thrilled to be able to so quickly call upon the resources of HSBC to provide this level of training to this initial group of promising staff.

"This is the first step in staff development representing our commitment to augment the skills and capacity of our team.

"We look forward to announcing further training initiatives over the coming months."

The trainee programme, to be held at Bricket Wood in the UK, aims to instil the idea of collective management at an early stage in the attendees' careers and gives them an excellent opportunity to work with others from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The bank said the programme should provide a deeper understanding of the financial services industry, as well as exposure to HSBC's core businesses.

It will develop personal skills, facilitate the building of an international network of contacts and provide exposure to the group's culture, corporate character and vision.

The programme dates vary for each participant, with the first participant departing for Bricket Wood in June.

The six were selected for their leadership abilities and their continued commitment to excellence displayed throughout their employment at the Bank.

Participants, including their job titles and their date of hire at the bank, are as follows: Shannon Burgess , credit analyst hired on October 2, 1995; Richelene Furqan, client account manager hired February 5, 1990; Jamie Gutteridge, trust manager hired November 30, 1987; John Richmond, senior trust officer hired January 3, 1995; Trina Roberts, senior personal loans manager hired October 16, 1989; and Greg Soares , senior account manager hired October 30, 2001.