Blog » Kris Thompson

Kris Thompson

8th September 2014

Role: Digital Channels Manager

Company: Danske Bank

Track Record:

What does your job entail?

I have responsibility for managing Danske Bank’s digital platforms — including online banking, mobile banking and tablet banking. My role is essentially to increase usage of the digital channels and to improve our customers’ experiences of managing their finances through them.

Is it 9-5?

Technically yes, although the nature of the job means that you have to be prepared to be flexible in terms of hours worked. Since our digital banking offering is a 24/7 service, I could be contacted at any point and I am always on standby.

Outline your career to date?

I first got into banking when I was studying at university, working part-time as a customer adviser for Abbey National. After university I spent nine years working at Ulster Bank — initially in the finance department, before managing their digital channels team. At the end of 2013 I was ready for a new challenge and applied for the digital channels manager role at Danske Bank and thankfully my application was successful.

Tell us about your qualifications/training?

I graduated from Queen’s University in 2001 with a 1st class honours degree in applied mathematics. I then completed one year’s training on the government- funded Rapid Advancement Programme, managed by BIC Systems, where  I specialised in software development.

What qualities are required for your job — personal and professional?

I think the job would be so much harder if I didn’t have a genuine interest in banking, technology and gadgets. The technology sector is moving at a rapid pace so you need to have an interest in how things are developing and always look ahead so that you know what is coming next. 

It definitely helps to have some skills in designing technology intuitively with the needs of customers in mind. Alongside that, you need to have a very logical, process-driven mindset to ensure new technology is implemented effectively.

What are the biggest challenges of your work?

Banking is a highly competitive environment and that really challenges us to innovate and think ahead in terms of continually adding to our digital offering in a way that places us ahead of our competitors. A recent OFCOM report showed that across the UK computers, laptops or net books (78%) are still the most popular way to access the internet, but two-thirds of adults also use other devices, such as tablets or smart phones. OFCOM also found that Northern Ireland has the highest ownership of tablets in the UK and the highest availability of fibre broadband. Our customers want their banking experience to align with global digital advancements, and we must continue to work hard to meet their needs and increase customer satisfaction.

What are the biggest rewards of your work?

I think one of the biggest rewards for me is being part of a great team that is driving Danske’s superior technology platform forward and making banking easier for our customers. We are leading the way locally with innovative new technologies and I am very proud of that. For example, we were recently the first local bank to offer ‘Paym’ — a service that allows users to transfer money by mobile number without needing the other person’s sort code or account number. Paym is an industry-wide initiative that many other banks will soon become involved in. It really will revolutionise the way we as a society pay for things and will be seen as a milestone in changing consumer behaviour. It has been a great success to date with over 10,000 of our customers registering for the service within two weeks of it being launched. We are also the first bank in the UK to offer our customers the ability to have online meetings with our advisers from the comfort of their own home.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

We’ve a young family which keeps me busy at home, but when I can I like to get out for a run or a cycle. I am always in pursuit of the next big race or challenge and recently cycled the 225km Giro Italia route from Belfast to Portrush, then back along the Causeway coast.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.

I started working almost 20 years ago, and over that time I have never had a single sick day off work — the result of maintaining a good level of health and fitness and the fact that I enjoy coming to work .

Who has inspired you most in your life?

My parents have both been hugely inspirational throughout my life. They have instilled in me a good work ethic and strong sense of ambition, teaching me the importance of hard work and determination in order to succeed in my career. Most importantly though, they have shown me what it is to be a good parent — which I hope I can replicate with my own children.

Back to Top