LHV Bank has appointed Damian Thompson to the position of CEO and CEO. He will join the bank on January 4, 2027, subject to regulatory approval. He will lead the next phase of growth for the digital-first bank, with a focus on expanding lending, especially to SMEs.
Thompson has over 30 years’ experience in banking, structured finance and financial services in the UK. After nearly two decades in senior roles at NatWest Markets, he joined the executive team of Starling Bank, where he was responsible for lending and asset management as the bank expanded.
Under his leadership, Starling’s loan assets have grown to over £5 billion, largely across mortgages and SME lending. He also served as CEO of Fleet Mortgages, Starling’s buy-to-let lender. He later took responsibility for Starling’s SME banking, retail overdraft and loan products.
Until this year, Thompson also chaired the UK Treasury’s Specialized Banks Advisory Forum, which represents banks outside the UK’s Big Five.
Commenting on his appointment, 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 lending.”
He added: “The opportunity to lead a bank with such a technical 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 my colleagues across the group to lead LHV Bank into its next chapter.”
