You can't "transfer your credit history", but HSBC Premier does *internally* allow you to open accounts in other countries based on your total assets with them. There is a big thread on RFD
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/hsbc-premier-724010/ You can open a credit card and current account, yes.
If you want to kickstart credit, get an Amex and then do a Global Transfer to the new country.
Alternatively, most of the big UK banks have offshore/private banking arms;
http://international.lloydsbank.com/ or
http://www.nationwideinternational.com/ for example.
If you're moving to the UK, I'd say get an Amex, and get a Chase Amazon visa (zero forex fee) while in Canada. Then Global Transfer to get an Amex, and use the Chase visa in the mean time. Most places take visa (like, literally everywhere... the UK's debit cards are visa/MC, not proprietary like Interac).
I like Nationwide (when you get to the UK, you'll need to show them residency stuff to open a current account, and wait a while before opening any kind of credit card - the Amex and Chase visa should tide you over) - they are still a true building society, run for their members rather than shareholders.
Um, oh, in terms of HSBC - they are everywhere, just like Barclays, Lloyds, Nationwide, Santander. There are lots of banks in the UK. Most allow fee-free cash withdrawal at different ATMs (ie no $3 fee or whatever for using your Scotia card in an RBC machine...). So pick any one.