LHV Bank appoints former Starling executive Damian Thompson as CEO to lead LHV Bank’s next phase of growth
LHV Bank Limited, the UK banking subsidiary of AS LHV Group, has appointed Damian Thompson as chief executive officer and executive director. He will join the Bank on 4 January 2027, subject to regulatory approval. He will lead the next stage of growth for the digital-first bank, with a focus on expanding lending, particularly to SMEs.
Damian has more than 30 years’ experience across UK banking, structured finance and financial services. After almost 2 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. Under his leadership, Starling’s loan assets grew to more than £5bn, 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 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.
Damian brings more than 35 years’ UK banking experience. After almost two decades in senior roles at NatWest Markets, he joined Starling Bank’s executive team in 2021, taking responsibility for growth of the lending book as the bank grew from a start-up into one of the UK’s leading digital banks. Under his leadership, Starling’s loan portfolio grew to more than £5 billion. In 2023, he also became chief executive officer of Fleet Mortgages, Starling’s buy-to-let lender.
Mihkel Torim, chairman of the Board of LHV Bank Limited, 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, chief executive officer and executive director of LHV Bank Limited 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.”
The appointment is subject to regulatory approval by the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority.