Finding the right person to lead one of the world's largest banks? Turns out that's harder than it sounds. HSBC has been hunting for a new chairman for over a year now, and the seat's still empty.

This isn't just any corporate role—it's widely considered one of the toughest gigs in global finance. You're steering a banking giant with operations spanning continents, navigating regulatory mazes, geopolitical tensions, and shareholder expectations that'd make anyone sweat.

What's taking so long? Could be the usual suspects: finding someone with the right mix of experience, credibility, and willingness to dive into such a high-pressure position. Or maybe the perfect candidate is out there weighing whether the headache is worth it.

Either way, the prolonged search raises eyebrows. Leadership vacuums at this level don't exactly inspire confidence, especially when traditional finance is already under pressure from digital disruption and shifting economic landscapes.