Hassen (pictured) joins the new company from Swiftpage International, where she was HR manager for one-and-a-half years. She told HR magazine she was attracted to the "very unique proposition" of Atom. The company will launch in 2015, subject to regulatory approval.
"Start-ups are a real area of interest for me," she said. "At Atom we get to decide what we want the bank to be, in terms of recruitment and building the people and culture from the ground."
After studying human resource management at the University of Northumbria, Hassen went on to take a number of HR roles at start-up companies. But she says it takes a certain type of person to thrive in their "fast-paced" environments.
"I'm ambitious when it comes to my career, and for me having a constant stream of change is a good thing. We get to influence right from the beginning, which makes start-ups a unique opportunity."
Atom chief executive Mark Mullen announced two other major appointments along with Hassen – Helen Wilson as head of customer services and Maria Harris as head of mortgage intermediaries.
He praised the "entrepreneurial approach and track record" of all three candidates.
"Louise, Maria and Helen are great additions to the team, and we are looking forward to a very busy and exciting run up to launch," he added.
