Nationwide Appoints Damian Thompson as Director of Mortgage Intermediaries and Partnerships

Nationwide Building Society has announced the appointment of Damian Thompson as its new Director of Mortgage Intermediaries and Partnerships, effective October 1, 2025. Thompson, who previously served as Commercial Director of Landlord at The Mortgage Works (TMW) since early 2023, will now lead the Nationwide Group’s intermediary relationships and third-party partnerships across mortgages, insurance, protection, and investments.

The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the building society, which relies heavily on intermediary channels for its mortgage distribution. Thompson succeeds Ian Andrew, who is departing after 18 years with the organisation. Industry observers note the timing aligns with ongoing shifts in how lenders engage with mortgage brokers and networks across the UK.

Nationwide confirmed the announcement on September 25, 2025, with immediate coverage from sector publications including Mortgage Solutions, Mortgage Finance Gazette, and Mortgage Strategy. The lender’s intermediary-focused site described Thompson as bringing a “deep understanding of the intermediary market” to his new position.

What is the Damian Thompson Nationwide Announcement?

Nationwide confirmed Thompson’s appointment through its official channels, describing the move as a strategic strengthening of its intermediary focus. The announcement outlined his mandate to develop relationships across multiple product lines, with particular emphasis on the partnership dimension of the business.

Thompson will report directly to Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s Group Director of Mortgages. This reporting structure places the new role within the broader mortgages division while signalling elevated importance to partnership management, according to the announcement.

• Thompson will oversee all intermediary relationships for the Nationwide Group, spanning mortgages, insurance, protection, and investments
• His appointment follows the departure of Ian Andrew after 18 years as Director of Intermediary Relationships
• The role encompasses management of third-party partnerships, including the relationship with Aviva for home insurance
• TMW, where Thompson previously worked, focuses on buy-to-let and complex lending through intermediaries
• Industry coverage has highlighted Thompson’s experience in the specialist lending space
• Multiple mortgage sector publications reported the appointment within days of the official announcement

Fact	Details
Appointee	Damian Thompson
Organisation	Nationwide Building Society
Role Title	Director of Mortgage Intermediaries and Partnerships
Start Date	1 October 2025
Announcement Date	25 September 2025
Reports To	Henry Jordan, Group Director of Mortgages
Prior Role	Commercial Director of Landlord, The Mortgage Works
Predecessor	Ian Andrew
Key Partnership	Aviva (home insurance)

Who is Damian Thompson in His New Nationwide Role?

Professional Background and Experience

Damian Thompson arrives at Nationwide with extensive experience in the UK mortgage sector, particularly within the intermediary market. His most recent position saw him serve as Commercial Director of Landlord at The Mortgage Works, a subsidiary of Nationwide focused on buy-to-let and complex lending products. This role, held since early 2023, positioned Thompson as a key figure in one of the specialist lending market’s most active segments.

Prior to joining TMW, Thompson built his career across multiple areas of mortgage lending and distribution. His experience encompasses both operational and commercial dimensions of the business, according to industry coverage. The Nationwide announcement highlighted his track record in developing intermediary relationships and driving growth through broker channels.

What the Appointment Means for Nationwide

The appointment signals Nationwide’s intent to deepen its engagement with the intermediary channel. Thompson’s mandate extends beyond mortgages to encompass insurance, protection, and investment products, suggesting a cross-functional approach to partnership management. His role will involve coordinating how Nationwide works with third-party distributors across all product lines.

Nationwide has confirmed that Thompson will manage the society’s relationship with Aviva, which underwrites its home insurance products. This partnership element reflects the broader scope of the role, encompassing lines of business beyond mortgage lending where intermediaries also play a significant distribution function.

What Are Nationwide Intermediary Details Post-Announcement?

Transition from The Mortgage Works

Thompson’s move from The Mortgage Works creates a vacancy in the Commercial Director of Landlord position at the Nationwide subsidiary. TMW operates as a specialist lender focusing on the buy-to-let sector, a market segment that has seen significant activity and change in recent years. The transition raises questions about how continuity will be maintained in Thompson’s former brief.

Nationwide has not yet announced who will succeed Thompson at TMW. Industry sources indicate that the subsidiary’s landlord lending portfolio represents a significant part of the group’s overall mortgage business, and the appointment of a replacement will be watched closely by brokers active in the rental sector.

Reporting Structure and Organisational Position

Thompson will report to Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s Group Director of Mortgages. This direct reporting line places the new Director role at a senior level within the mortgages division, suggesting the intermediary function carries significant strategic weight. Jordan’s statement on the appointment emphasised the value Thompson brings to the group’s intermediary positioning.

The predecessor, Ian Andrew, is departing after an 18-year tenure with Nationwide. His exit marks the end of an era for the society’s intermediary relationships, which have evolved substantially during his tenure. Andrew oversaw the expansion of broker distribution and the development of online intermediary platforms during his time in the role.

How Does Nationwide Compare to Other Intermediaries?

Nationwide represents one of the largest players in the UK mortgage intermediary market, with substantial lending volumes channelled through brokers and networks. The appointment of Thompson reflects the building society’s continued commitment to this distribution model, even as the competitive landscape among lenders intensifies.

Available sources do not include direct competitive comparisons between Nationwide and lenders such as Accord Mortgages, TSB, NatWest, Santander, Skipton Building Society, or Leeds Building Society. Coverage of the Thompson appointment focused on the internal transition rather than market positioning relative to competitors.

Industry analysts note that different lenders maintain varying approaches to intermediary engagement, from fully broker-only models to hybrid distributions that include direct channels. Thompson’s appointment underscores Nationwide’s commitment to the intermediary model as a core strategic pillar rather than a supplementary channel.

Timeline of Damian Thompson’s Transition

1. Early 2023: Damian Thompson appointed Commercial Director of Landlord at The Mortgage Works (TMW)
2. 25 September 2025: Nationwide announces Thompson’s appointment as Director of Mortgage Intermediaries and Partnerships
3. 1 October 2025: Thompson’s new role becomes effective; he assumes responsibility for Nationwide’s intermediary relationships
4. Post-October 2025: Transition period expected as Thompson establishes his priorities and meets key broker partners

Confirmed and Unconfirmed Information

Industry Context and Mortgage Market Significance

The appointment of Thompson occurs against a backdrop of ongoing evolution in UK mortgage distribution. Intermediaries now account for a significant proportion of mortgage completions across the industry, and lenders have responded by investing in broker-facing technology, proposition development, and relationship management capabilities.

Nationwide’s position as one of the UK’s largest mortgage lenders gives weight to any changes in its intermediary strategy. The building society’s mutual status and branch network coexist with a substantial broker business, creating a dual-distribution approach that not all competitors maintain. Thompson’s experience at TMW, which operates exclusively through intermediaries, suggests familiarity with this operating model.

The move also reflects broader trends in how lenders structure their commercial leadership. Combining intermediary relationships with partnership management in a single role acknowledges the interconnected nature of broker and strategic partner channels. This integrated approach may signal how Nationwide intends to develop its distribution capability going forward.

Official Statements and Sources

“I’m delighted to be taking on this new role at what is an exciting time for the Nationwide Group. Intermediaries and our other partnerships are hugely important to our business and I’m very much looking forward to building on the already fantastic relationships we have with them.”

— Damian Thompson, via Nationwide announcement

“I’m really pleased to have Damian take on this role. His wealth of experience across the mortgage and mutual sectors will be invaluable as we strive to further strengthen the Nationwide Group’s position in the intermediary sector.”

— Henry Jordan, Group Director of Mortgages, Nationwide

The primary sources for this announcement include Nationwide’s official media pages and the lender’s dedicated intermediary portal. Coverage has been cited from industry publications including Mortgage Solutions, Mortgage Finance Gazette, and Mortgage Strategy. The official Nationwide announcement provides the most comprehensive account of the appointment and its rationale.

Summary and Next Steps

Damian Thompson’s appointment as Director of Mortgage Intermediaries and Partnerships marks a significant moment for Nationwide’s distribution strategy. His transition from The Mortgage Works brings specialist lending experience to a role encompassing all intermediary and partnership relationships across the group. The October 1 effective date gives the sector time to observe how the transition unfolds and what priorities emerge under Thompson’s leadership.

For brokers and intermediaries working with Nationwide, the appointment represents continuity in the society’s commitment to the channel. Thompson’s stated intention to build on existing relationships suggests a measured approach initially, with potential for strategic development over time. For related market analysis, industry observers will be watching for signs of how the new Director engages with the broker community in the coming months.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Damian Thompson start his new role at Nationwide?

Damian Thompson’s appointment as Director of Mortgage Intermediaries and Partnerships becomes effective on 1 October 2025.

Who did Damian Thompson work for before joining Nationwide?

Thompson previously served as Commercial Director of Landlord at The Mortgage Works (TMW), a Nationwide subsidiary specialising in buy-to-let and complex lending, since early 2023.

Who does Damian Thompson report to at Nationwide?

Thompson reports to Henry Jordan, who serves as Nationwide’s Group Director of Mortgages.

Who did Damian Thompson succeed at Nationwide?

Thompson succeeds Ian Andrew, who is leaving Nationwide after 18 years as Director of Intermediary Relationships.

What partnerships fall under Thompson’s responsibilities?

Thompson manages all third-party partnerships across mortgages, insurance, protection, and investments. This includes the relationship with Aviva, which underwrites Nationwide’s home insurance products.

Has Nationwide announced who will replace Thompson at TMW?

As of the announcement date, Nationwide had not announced a successor for Thompson’s Commercial Director position at The Mortgage Works.

How was the appointment received by the industry?

The announcement was covered by multiple mortgage sector publications including Mortgage Solutions, Mortgage Finance Gazette, and Mortgage Strategy. Industry response has focused on Thompson’s experience in the intermediary market.