Hampden Bank has appointed Haydn Aird to the newly created role of head of banking, North and Midlands, as part of its ongoing regional expansion. Aird will lead a team based in Manchester, the bank’s first location outside London and Edinburgh, to serve clients across the North and Midlands.
Aird brings extensive leadership experience, having spent 16 years at HSBC before joining Handelsbanken. He played a key role in opening the Chester branch and held senior positions including area director for wealth management and chief financial crime prevention officer. Most recently, he managed the Wilmslow branch.
“This is an exciting time to join Hampden Bank as it expands to meet demand for personalised banking,” Aird said. “Having a presence in Manchester, the first outside London and Edinburgh, will allow us to serve the banking needs of clients in the North and Midlands. I look forward to building the team and to working with colleagues and professional advisers to deliver for clients.”
Tracey Davidson, CEO of Hampden Bank, said: “With over three decades working in leadership positions across banking and wealth management, Haydn is highly respected and brings significant experience to Hampden Bank. His proven track record and unwavering commitment to exceptional client service make him a strong hire to help establish and build the business in the North & Midlands.”
The appointment follows Hampden Bank’s 2024 results, announced in March, which showed 16% growth in deposits to £991m and a 20% increase in lending to £586m. The number of clients reached 6,000. The bank recently opened new offices in Edinburgh and plans to move to larger premises in London this summer. David Huntley was recently appointed chair, replacing Simon Miller after five years in the role.
Davidson added: “2024 brought significant challenges for banks, both in the UK and globally. While interest rate reductions have been welcome news for clients, economic and political instability remain. The bank’s role in supporting clients is as necessary and as important as ever.”
