LHV Bank Limited has appointed a former executive at Starling Bank as its new CEO.
The UK banking subsidiary of AS LHV Group said Damian Thompson will join on 4th January 2027, subject to regulatory approval.
The digital-first bank will focus on expanding its lending, particularly to SMEs.
Thompson has more than 30 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.
Under his leadership, Starling’s loan assets grew to more than £5 billion, largely across mortgages and SME lending. Thompson 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 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,” said Mihkel Torim, chairman of the board of LHV Bank Limited.
“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.”
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.”
The appointment is subject to regulatory approval by the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority.