Hampden & Co., the private bank headquartered in Edinburgh, has announced the appointment of Tracey Davidson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Davidson will succeed Graeme Hartop, who is set to retire after leading the bank for 11 years. She will officially take on her new role in the autumn, aligning with Hartop’s departure.
Davidson joins Hampden & Co. from Handelsbanken UK, where she has served as Deputy CEO since 2003, after transitioning from Barclays. Her extensive experience in expanding banking operations in the UK and her roles as Chair of Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management and board member at the Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association (PIMFA) underscore her qualifications for the new position.
Simon Miller, Chair of the Board at Hampden & Co., expressed his enthusiasm for Davidson’s appointment, stating, “We are delighted Tracey is joining Hampden & Co. as our new CEO. She was the outstanding candidate in a very strong field and is highly respected in the market, among peers, and by clients and professional intermediaries.”
Reflecting on Graeme Hartop’s tenure, Miller added, “Graeme has led the bank from its launch to profitability, achieving record levels of deposits, lending, and client numbers. We wish him great success in his next endeavours and thank him for his commitment, leadership, and vision in building strong foundations for Hampden & Co.”
Davidson commented on her new role, “Hampden & Co. has an excellent reputation for delivering a highly personalised banking service for clients, their families, and businesses. It has significant ambitions for the future, and I look forward to leading the bank to further success.”
In its 2023 annual results, Hampden & Co reported a nearly 20% increase in client numbers, reaching a new high of 5,598. To meet the growing demand for personalised banking services, the bank increased its employee count by 23% to 154. The year also saw a 9% rise in total lending to £488 million and an 8% increase in deposits to £858 million, with term accounts experiencing net inflows of £142 million. The bank’s profit before tax rose significantly to £9.1 million in 2023, up from £2 million in 2022.
