LHV Bank has appointed Damian Thompson as its new CEO and executive director. He will join the Bank on 4th January 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
Thompson will be tasked with leading the next stage of growth for the bank with a focus on expanding lending, particularly to SMEs.
Damian has more than 35 years of experience across UK banking, structured finance and financial services. After almost two decades in senior roles at NatWest Markets, he joined Starling Bank’s executive team, where he was responsible for lending and asset management as the bank scaled. He also served as CEO of Fleet Mortgages, Starling’s buy-to-let lender. He later took responsibility for Starling’s SME banking products, retail overdrafts and loan products.
Until this year, Damian also chaired UK Finance’s Specialist Banks Advisory Forum, which represents banks outside the UK’s big five.
Mihkel Torim, chairman of the board of LHV Bank, commented: "Damian knows banking, lending and technology. He combines the experience of one of the UK's largest banks with the pace of Starling, where he led the growth of its lending as it became a major digital bank, and he shares the entrepreneurial spirit that defines LHV. Growing our local presence in the UK on a strong technology platform is at the core of our strategy, and Damian has the experience to lead it."
Damian Thompson said: "LHV Bank has strong foundations for its next phase of growth: advanced technology, the backing of a Group with a sustained record of profitable growth, and a clear ambition to expand its lending. The opportunity to lead a bank with that tech advantage through rapid growth while maintaining the highest standards of risk management and regulatory compliance is compelling. I look forward to working with the UK team and colleagues across the Group to lead LHV Bank into its next chapter."
