Direct Line hires finance chief from rival Aviva

Reuters
·1 min read

LONDON (Reuters) - British insurer Direct Line has hired a new chief financial officer, it said on Wednesday, weeks after fending off takeover interest from Belgian rival Aegas.

Direct Line said that Jane Poole, who is currently finance chief for Aviva's UK and Ireland general insurance business, will join as CFO in October, succeeding Neil Manser after more than three years in the post.

Aegas said last month that it did not intend to make a further offer for Direct Line after the British home and motor insurer turned down two previous proposals.

Direct Line last month posted an operating loss for 2023, hit by high motor claims inflation, but reinstated its dividend.

(Reporting by Iain Withers; Editing by David Goodman)