Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK’s largest D2C investment and savings platform, is pleased to announce two new appointments – Charles Thompson as Chief Technology Officer and Michael Finnegan as Chief Transformation Officer – strengthening its Executive Committee as the business accelerates delivery of its strategy.
Thompson and Finnegan both bring deep experience in technology, transformation and retail investing from the US market, where digital platforms, data and client engagement have helped drive higher levels of retail investment participation. Respectively, they will replace Richard Hebdon, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, and Darren Worth, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, who will leave HL later this year. Both will remain with the business for a transition period to support orderly handovers.
HL is the UK’s largest investment and savings platform, with more than two million clients and close to £200bn of assets under administration. The appointments follow HL’s record £100m of committed investment in FY26 to enhance its product, service and value proposition, with a focus on digital capability, AI, data infrastructure and value for money. The business plans to continue making significant investments in these areas over the next 12 months.
Thompson will join HL on 1 September 2026, subject to regulatory approval, and will be based in Bristol. He joins from Vanguard, where he was most recently Principal and Divisional CIO for Advice and Wealth Management, having previously led Technology in Vanguard International, spanning APAC, Europe and the Americas. Previously, he held senior technology leadership roles at National Australia Bank.
Finnegan will join HL in September 2026 as Chief Transformation Officer and will also be based in Bristol. Also at Vanguard, Finnegan held a number of senior roles over approximately eight years, most recently as Head of Wealth Planning and Partnerships, and previously as Head of International Strategy and Chief of Staff for Vanguard’s International business and CFO for the Americas.
“Following a rigorous external search, we are delighted to welcome Charles and Michael to HL. They are strong leaders with deep experience across technology, transformation and retail investing, and they will further strengthen the Executive team.
“The opportunity before us is to combine the best of HL’s scale and market position with lessons from the US market, where technology, product innovation and client engagement have helped more people invest for their future. Charles and Michael will play critical roles in that next phase.
“I want to thank Darren and Richard for their service to HL. Darren has made a significant contribution across strategy, transformation and finance, including as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Richard has led our technology function through a period of real complexity and change. We are grateful for everything they have contributed and wish them both well for the future.”
Richard Flint, Outgoing CEO and Non-Executive Deputy Chair at HL
“I’m incredibly excited to join HL, one of the most important retail investment businesses in the UK, with a leading market position and client base that few platforms can match. I’m looking forward to leading the build of new technology capability, resiliency and digital experiences to serve clients even better.”
Charles Thompson, incoming Chief Technology Officer at HL
“HL has a major opportunity to help more people move from saving to investing for their future. I’m excited to help deliver the change needed to support that ambition and help HL move faster for clients.”
Michael Finnegan, incoming Chief Transformation Officer at HL
