Lord Green was appointed Minister of State for Trade and Investment on 11 January 2011.

Lord Green began his career with the British Government’s Ministry of Overseas Development.  In 1977, he joined McKinsey & Co Inc, management consultants, with whom he undertook assignments in Europe, North America and the Middle East. 

He joined The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in 1982 with responsibility for corporate planning activities, and, in 1985, was put in charge of the development of the bank’s global treasury operations. In 1992, he became Group Treasurer of HSBC Holdings plc, with responsibility for the HSBC Group’s treasury and capital markets businesses globally.

He joined The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in 1982 with responsibility for corporate planning activities, and, in 1985, was put in charge of the development of the bank's global treasury operations. In 1992, he became Group Treasurer of HSBC Holds plc, with responsibility for HSBC Group's treasury and capital markets business globally.

In March 1998, he was appointed to the Board of HSBC Holdings plc. as Executive Director, Investment Banking and Markets responsible for the investment banking, private banking and asset management activities of the Group. He assumed additional responsibility for the Group’s corporate banking business in May 2002. He became Group Chief Executive on 1 June 2003 and Group Chairman on 26 May 2006. He was a director of HSBC Bank plc, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited and of HSBC North America Holdings Inc.

Lord Green became Chairman of the British Bankers’ Association in November 2006.

On 24 May 2010, he was elected Deputy President of the Confederation of British Industry, and on 1 July 2010 he was elected the Vice-Chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce. A trustee of The British Museum, he is also an honorary trustee of Peking University. In April 2009 he was appointed a Non-Executive Director of BASF SE.