Direct Line Group
Insurers face margin crush unless premiums are hiked
Data analysis: A sustainable margin recovery looks increasingly challenging for insurers with premiums needing to increase in real terms to prevent any erosion after a tripling of costs to 10.9% of premiums last year from 3.5% in 2022.
Winslow continues Direct Line management overhaul
Direct Line Group CEO Adam Winslow has continued his makeover of the insurer’s management team, appointing a new managing director of motor and chief strategy and investor relations officer.
Ken Norgrove, RSA
If you think you’re busy, then you should read what Ken Norgrove, CEO of RSA UK & International, was up to in 2023.
Big Interview: Tara Foley, Axa
Tara Foley, CEO of Axa UK & Ireland, outlines how the business can now do intraday pricing, shares the provider’s growth plans, and reveals how artificial intelligence is changing ways of working at the insurer.
Direct Line Group confirms Milliner amid raft of leadership hires
Direct Line Group has today confirmed Martin Milliner as its managing director of claims, in a swathe of leadership hires that also includes naming Lloyds Bank's Craig Thornton as MD of home and growth, and Hugh Hessing as COO.
LV’s departing claims director Milliner tipped for DLG position
Allianz has confirmed Caroline Johnson as LV’s new general insurance claims director, with Martin Milliner set to depart the insurer after 18 years.
Big Interview: Jason Storah, Aviva
In his first full profile interview since taking over as UK and Ireland General Insurance CEO at Aviva, Jason Storah sits down with Scott McGee to talk about the insurer's re-entry into Lloyd's, where else Aviva could yet expand, and the differences…
Aviva’s Storah has ‘big ambitions’ for HNW
Jason Storah, Aviva’s UK & Ireland general insurance CEO, has revealed his “big ambitions” for the high-net-worth business, and teased a potential entry into pet insurance, as the insurer is “always looking” at expansion opportunities in personal lines.
Direct Line’s chief customer officer Kate Syred retires
Direct Line Group’s chief customer officer Kate Syred has retired after more than 20 years at the insurer, Insurance Post can reveal.
DLG or Esure – which Peter Wood baby is most likely to bounce back?
Content Director’s View: Direct Line Group and Esure are looking to put recent troubles behind them after less than stellar performances in 2023. With both claiming solid foundations on which to now prosper, Jonathan Swift reflects on the chances either…
RSA appoints trading directors ahead of NIG integration
RSA has appointed Moira Spencer and Deena Hemming as trading directors for the North and South respectively, ahead of the integration of NIG next month.
Direct Line brings in Aviva’s Poole as CFO
Jane Poole is leaving Aviva to reunite with her former boss Adam Winslow and take on the role of chief financial officer at Direct Line Group.
Ageas rules out any more bids for DLG
Ageas has confirmed that, following two failed attempts, the Belgian insurer “will not” make any more offers for Direct Line Group.
Direct Line CEO reveals plan to get business ‘back on track’
Direct Line Group’s CEO, Adam Winslow, has claimed the insurer has “strong foundations to build on”, adding the motor business had “turned the corner”.
Could the CMA fire the starting gun to unlock M&A in 2024?
News Editor's view: With increased M&A activity predicted for 2024, news editor Scott McGee asks: Is the industry waiting with bated breath to find out the outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into the Markerstudy/Atlanta deal?
Direct Line aims to cut costs by £100m following £189m loss
Direct Line CEO Adam Winslow has revealed plans to slash operating costs by £100m by the end of 2025 after the business made a £189.5m loss in 2023.
Tech transformations wont work ‘if the tail is wagging the dog’
Two years on from being brought in to oversee Direct Line’s online transformation, the insurer’s chief information officer Ash Jokhoo has outlined how work to develop an end-to-end digital claims process is going.
RSA ‘not finished’ building commercial book
Briefing: Sources have told Insurance Post that RSA is ‘not finished’ with its commercial build, with one claiming the insurer is looking at the potential purchase of Covéa’s commercial lines business.
Direct Line rejects second bid from Ageas
Direct Line has rejected a second takeover approach from Belgium’s Ageas, with a spokesperson for the provider known it's red telephone on wheels mascot claiming it's rival continues to “significantly undervalue” the business.
Could premium finance face Gap-like FCA action?
After the Financial Conduct Authority’s Matt Brewis labelled premium finance a “poor product”, Scott McGee examines if the industry has done enough to defend this method of paying for insurance or whether the regulator will soon feel forced to clamp down…
Aviva cites ‘favourable’ PL rating as UK&I GI profits surge
Aviva has reported its UK and Ireland general insurance business grew gross written premiums by 16% while the provider’s operating profit surged 63% in 2023, and GI CEO Jason Storah said he is “confident” the business “will build on success” in 2024.
Why Ageas buying Direct Line makes sense now
Having been talked about as a takeover target itself in recent years, content director Jonathan Swift observes Ageas’ move for Direct Line marks a change in fortunes for the Belgian insurance group and makes perfect sense in terms of fit and timing.
Direct Line confirms it rejected ‘opportunistic’ Ageas bid
Direct Line has said it received an approach to buy the group from Ageas on 19 January, which it felt “significantly undervalued” the group and its prospects.
Ageas mulls £3.1bn bid for Direct Line
Ageas has confirmed that it is in the “preliminary stages” of considering a £3.1bn bid for Direct Line.