Direct Line Group announces new Managing Director of Motor and a Chief Strategy & Investor Relations Officer

4 min read

Direct Line Group (“The Group”) today announces two new appointments to its Executive Committee. Lucy Johnson has been appointed as Managing Director of Motor and Dhruv Gahlaut joins as Chief Strategy and Investor Relations Officer. Lucy will join the business in June and Dhruv in September this year. Lucy will succeed Jasvinder Gakhal, who has been in post since 2021. Both appointments are subject to regulatory approval.

As Managing Director of Motor, Lucy Johnson will be responsible for developing and executing strategy to drive profitable growth. Lucy brings a wealth of insurance experience and expertise to the Group, having spent eight years at Hastings Direct where she was a member of the Executive Committee and held the posts of Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer and Managing Director of Underwriting Services.

Lucy joins the Group from Positive Momentum Limited where she was a partner advising financial services firms on motor transformation, pricing, product innovation and leadership. She has been consulting for Direct Line Group, working alongside Chief Executive Officer Adam Winslow, on the comprehensive strategy review that is underway.

Jasvinder has been with the Group since 2005 and has held the post of Managing Director of Motor since 2021. She will remain with the business until July to ensure an orderly transition of responsibilities. Jasvinder has made a significant contribution to the Group, playing an instrumental role in building Direct Line Business Insurance and as Managing Director of Motor working to restore margin in a challenging trading environment. 

In the newly created role of Chief Strategy and Investor Relations Officer, Dhruv Gahlaut will be responsible for developing and shaping the Group’s strategic narrative for investors and other stakeholders. He joins the Group from global insurer / reinsurer SiriusPoint, where he was a member of the Executive Committee.

Dhruv previously held the post of Strategy and Planning Director at RSA within its UK and International business and has also worked at other global insurers, including Resolution Life and Legal & General. He has gained a deep understanding of various business models and equity stories across the financial sector from over 10 years working for HSBC Equity Research. 

Adam Winslow, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Line Group, commented: “I’m delighted to have secured a leader of Lucy’s calibre to lead our Motor operations. She will bring both extensive trading acumen and technical insurance expertise to the role. Dhruv will have a crucial role in communicating our equity story as we execute our business transformation and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. These appointments positively augment the other recent external hires we have announced, as we build a strong and experienced leadership team to drive sustainable growth.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

  • Paul Smith who previously led on Investor Relations will now be Director of Business Performance.
  • These new joiner announcements supplement the recent ExCo appointment of Jane Poole, announced as CFO on 10 April, and the appointments of Craig Thornton as Managing Director of Home and Growth, Martin Milliner as Director of Claims and Hugh Hessing as Chief Operating Officer announced on 3 May. 

For further information, please contact:

Paul Smith

Director of Business Performance and Investor Relations

Direct line Group

Tel: +44 (0) 7795 811 263

 

Ewan Robertson

Group Communications

Direct Line Group

Tel: +44 (0) 7385 481295

 

Nick Cosgrove

Partner

Brunswick

Tel: 0207 404 5959

Email: [email protected]

Direct Line Insurance Group plc

Direct Line Group (DLG) is one of the UK’s leading insurance companies. The Group’s vision is to create a world where insurance is personal, inclusive and a force for good. Through its well-known brands which include Direct Line, Churchill, Privilege, Darwin, and Green Flag, DLG helps people to carry on with their lives, giving them peace of mind now and in the future. Its brands offer a wide range of general insurance products across motor, home, commercial, travel, pet and rescue, both direct to customers and through price comparison websites and it underwrites insurance products distributed by its third-party partners.

The Group believes that by embracing sustainable practices it creates a better corporate culture able to provide more reliable products and bring long-term rewards for its customers, people and shareholders.