Edinburgh-headquartered private bank Hampden & Co has hired a new head of credit, following its buy-out of Smith & Williamson’s loan book.

Mark Thomson joins from the Scottish Building Society, where he was chief executive. He was previously a credit director at Scottish Widows Bank.

Hampden & Co chief executive Graeme Hartop worked for Scottish Widows during the same period as said Mr Thomson was a “a key member of the senior team” there.

“[He] brings extensive banking experience and encapsulates our ethos of having the best people in the market at Hampden & Co,” Mr Hartop said.