Damian McLaughlin started business life as a graduate apprentice in the automotive sector, took an MBA and switched to finance, joining HSBC and working in their retail, business, corporate and merchant banking departments over a 10 year period. During this time he joined the Prince’s Trust, volunteering as a business mentor.

Damian rounded off his corporate career at the London Stock Exchange where he served on the Alternative Investment Market Steering  Committee, as an SME Adviser overseeing the launch of the AIM market. He was also involved in the LSE’s structural transition from an organization owned by its members to a plc owned by shareholders.

As an entrepreneur, Damian spent the next 20+ years in the UK real estate space, owning several property investment, management and development businesses.

Even before his admission as a Freeman Entrepreneur in November 2023, he passed a rigorous assessment to become member of the Entrepreneurs' Snow Dragons ski team, and, in January 2025 he joined the Snow Dragons in Morzine at the Inter-Livery Skiing Championships.

His abilities on skis were surpassed only by his abilities on spoons. A testament to his Irish heritage, and to the evident amazement of the audience (and, later on, the band), Damian joined the percussion section of a live band in an apres-ski bar for one unforgettable night!

Snow Dragon McLaughlin in characteristically upbeat mood in Morzine 2024 (c) D.Simms

At his memorial at East Grinstead Rugby Football Club, the strength and warmth of feeling towards Damian was at times overwhelming. The first grandchild in a huge family (he counted 20 aunts and uncles at the time of his birth in 1958), he deployed his enterprising attitude and cherubic looks from a very early age. A love of rugby was fostered by his grammar school in Coventry, and travel, skiing, biking, and walking were all added to his impressive range of pursuits.

His death on 22nd June 2025 came after just over a year of treatment for cancer - treatment he bore bravely, and with little perceptible reduction in his mischievous humour. He is survived by his wife Janet, and two sons.

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The life and service of Freeman Entrepreneur Damian McLaughlin was formally remembered by the Master, Wardens, and Court at the Election Court on 26th June 2025. The Clerk (together with Damian's longstanding friend Liveryman Stephen Wheatley) represented the Worshipful Company of Entrepreneurs at his memorial at East Grinstead on 29th July 2025.