The additions of Lauren Thompson and Adeel Syed brings extensive experience as the organization heads into a key period of growth
TORONTO, JULY 21, 2025 – Peoples Group, a trusted financial partner to Canada’s innovators, has appointed Lauren Thompson and Adeel Syed as Senior Vice Presidents. Both join the client office’s senior leadership team to accelerate integrated innovation and drive growth. Lauren will oversee client relations, partnership management, and business development across the lending and structured finance divisions. Adeel will lead these efforts on the payments side of the business. Together, they will play a key role in fueling Peoples Group’s continued growth through 2025 and beyond.
“At Peoples Group, we’re focused on being a financial services innovator—a bank that truly empowers our clients to drive the digital economy forward,” said William Keliehor, Chief Client Officer, Peoples Group. “Lauren and Adeel both bring proven track records and I’m thrilled to have them join our senior leadership team at such an exciting time for our organization.”
In a previous role as SVP and Head of Credit Risk at Peoples Group, Lauren brought deep expertise in navigating complex regulatory environments. Along with her background in risk management, sales, and FinTech, Lauren’s experience makes her exceptionally well-suited to lead the lending business development function during this critical phase of growth.
Adeel is a seasoned senior executive with over 20 years of experience leading business and technology innovation in complex organizations across payments, financial services, retail, loyalty, and healthcare. Adeel previously served as vice president of customer and partnerships at Interac, overseeing all market-facing activities across financial services, banking, merchant acquiring, and retail merchants.
Peoples Group is excited to welcome Adeel to the organization and to congratulate Lauren on her promotion to the lending team. Both offer extensive expertise in unlocking innovation and business growth, which ultimately brings the future of banking to our clients – and by extension, Canadians – faster.
ABOUT PEOPLES GROUP
Peoples Group is a trusted financial institution for the innovators at the forefront of Canada’s economic future. We’re not the face of change but the substantial power behind it, proudly working alongside challenger banks, fintechs, brokers and merchants while fostering a more dynamic and competitive financial ecosystem. Our exceptional service across Deposits, Lending and Payments empowers our clients to bring unique visions to life that benefit more Canadians. Established in 1985, Peoples Group is a made-in-Canada financial institution with a culture defined by integrity that lets us be true to our name – because we put people above all.
For more information, please visit www.peoplesgroup.com
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