Danuta Gray
Chair of the Board
Appointed
Independent Non-Executive Director in February 2017
Chair of the Board since August 2020
Committees
Nomination and Governance Committee (Chair)
Remuneration Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Extensive experience leading and transforming large, consumer-focused businesses.
– Deep understanding of governance and remuneration requirements affecting listed companies gained from previous Chair roles.
– Expertise in sales, marketing, and technology.
Danuta was Chair of Telefónica in Ireland until 2012 having previously been its Chief Executive between 2001 and 2010. During her tenure as Chief Executive she increased the customer base from just under 1 million to 1.7 million. Earlier in her career, Danuta held a variety of senior positions within the BT Group between 1984 and 2001. Additionally, Danuta has been Senior Independent Director of the Aldermore Group, Non-Executive Chair of St Modwen Properties and a Non-Executive member of the Ministry of Defence Board, NED and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at both PageGroup plc and Old Mutual plc; and was Non-Executive Chair of Perth Topco Limited and North Tech.
External Appointments
– Non-Executive Director, Chair of Remuneration Committee and member of Nomination Committee of Burberry Group plc.
– Non-Executive Director and Chair of Croda International plc.
– Trustee Director of The Resolution Foundation.
– Member of the Development Board for Employ Autism.
Adam Winslow
Chief Executive Officer
Key Skills and Experience
Adam Winslow became Chief Executive Officer of Direct Line Group in March 2024. He brings extensive financial services and insurance expertise gained over 20+ years in the sector. He joined Direct Line Group from Aviva, where he was CEO, UK & Ireland General Insurance. He previously held the post of CEO for Aviva’s international businesses. Before working at Aviva, Adam was CEO of Global Life Insurance at AIG, having previously held several other management positions at the company across several markets including serving as CEO of AIG Life UK. Adam started his career at Allianz Asset Management in France, followed by further international experience in South Africa overseeing a large business process outsourcing contact centre. Adam has a master’s degree in European Business from the ESCP Business School in Paris and a bachelor’s degree in History with French from York University.
Neil Manser
Chief Financial Officer
Appointed
May 2021
Committees
Investment Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Strong background in financial and strategic leadership roles.
– Extensive corporate finance and capital markets knowledge.
– Deep understanding of the operation of strategy and culture in the insurance industry.
Neil was appointed as CFO in May 2021. Since he joined the Group in 2011, Neil has held several roles in Finance and Strategy from Director of Investor Relations, to Managing Director of NIG and Chief Strategy Officer. Neil was instrumental in the Group’s successful IPO in 2012. He brings extensive industry and capital markets experience to the Board having previously worked at Brit Insurance, Merrill Lynch and Fox-Pitt, Kelton. Neil is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
External Appointments
– None.
Dr. Richard Ward
Senior Independent Director
Appointed
January 2016
Committees
Remuneration Committee (Chair)
Nomination and Governance Committee
Board Risk Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Highly experienced financial services professional with expertise in dealing with complex stakeholder groups.
– Extensive knowledge of the insurance industry with deep insight into prudential regulation.
– Background of delivering business transformation and change in challenging circumstances.
Richard was previously Executive Chair of Ardonagh Specialty and was Chief Executive of Lloyd’s of London and the International Petroleum Exchange. He also held the role of Non-Executive Chair at Brit Syndicates Limited and Executive Chair of Cunningham Lindsey. Richard also held NED roles at the Partnership Assurance Group plc and the London Clearing House. Earlier in his career he held a range of senior positions at British Petroleum and was a research scientist for the Science and Engineering Council. Richard has also been a member of the PwC Advisory Board, the PRA Practitioner Panel and of the Geneva Association.
External Appointments
– Non-Executive Chair of CFC Group Limited.
– Non-Executive Chair of Mrald Limited.
Tracy Corrigan
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed
November 2021
Committees
Customer and Sustainability Committee (Chair)
Nomination and Governance Committee
Remuneration Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Track record of driving digital growth.
– Expertise in digital transformation, with a focus on data, culture and customer.
– Expertise in ESG issues and communications with multiple stakeholders.
Tracy’s professional background spans financial journalism, digital media and corporate strategy in the media industry. Most recently Tracy was Chief Strategy Officer for Dow Jones where she oversaw the digital transformation of the business and was responsible for global strategy, customer insight and commercial policy. Earlier in her career, Tracy was Editor in Chief of The Wall Street Journal Europe and Digital Editor of The Wall Street Journal. She also held various positions at the Financial Times, including Editor of FT.com and Editor of the Lex Column.
External Appointments
– Non-Executive Director and member of the Remuneration Committee of Barclays Bank UK plc.
– Chair of the and Sustainability Committee and Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit and Nomination Committees of Domino’s Pizza Group plc.
– Non-Executive Director and member of the Nominations Committee of The Scott Trust and Chair of The Scott Trust Endowment Limited.
Mark Gregory
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed
March 2018
Committees
Risk Committee (Chair)
Audit Committee
Investment Committee
Nomination and Governance Committee
Remuneration Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Extensive experience in both life and general insurance.
– Deep understanding of capital markets.
– Strategically orientated with a detailed understanding of the retail sector.
Mark previously held the role of Group CFO and Executive Director at Legal & General until 2017 and was CEO of Merian Global Investors from January 2019 to August 2020. During his 19-year career at Legal & General, he held a variety of senior roles including CEO of the Savings business, Managing Director of the With-Profits business, and Resources and International Director. Before joining Legal & General, Mark held senior financial and business development roles at ASDA and Kingfisher. Mark is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
External Appointments
– Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit and Risk Committees of Phoenix Group Holdings plc.
Carol Hagh
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed
April 2024
Committees
Nomination and Governance Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Extensive experience of digitalisation, brand strategy and the drivers of customer satisfaction.
– Deep understanding of insurance brand and customer strategy and of refining products and propositions.
– Expertise in leadership and company culture.
Carol’s career has spanned actuarial services and technology consultancy; brand, marketing and customer strategic development; board and executive search, in which she led Spencer Stuart’s UK insurance practice; and senior executive coaching. In senior leadership roles in general insurance, she was responsible for digital transformation, direct channel development, and proposition design. She has led customer-centric culture transformation and data driven approaches to improving customer satisfaction.
External Appointments
– Non-Executive Director and member of the Remuneration and Nominations & Governance Committees of Chesnara PLC
Adrian Joseph OBE
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed
January 2021
Committees
Customer and Sustainability Committee
Nomination and Governance Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Leading expertise in digital, data science and analytics.
– Track record of using data and AI to drive business transformation.
– Recognised Diversity and Inclusion leader and a passionate advocate on this topic.
Adrian is the former Managing Director, Group Data and Artificial Intelligence at BT Group and a former member of HM Government's AI Council. He has significant industry and consultancy experience and has held senior roles at EY and Google. He was a NED at the Home Office (2016-2020) where he sat on the Data Board advising on data science, digital transformation, and diversity and inclusion. A former Chair of the Race Equality Board, Adrian was appointed to the main Board of Business in the Community in 2014 and continues to act as an adviser to them. In 2019, Adrian was awarded an OBE for services to equality and diversity in business. In 2018, he was announced as the most influential black, Asian and minority ethnic technology leader in the UK by the Financial Times and Inclusive Boards.
External Appointments
– None.
Mark Lewis
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed
March 2023
Committees
Customer and Sustainability Committee
Nomination and Governance Committee
Remuneration Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Strong track record of delivering digital transformation and growth.
– Highly experienced in customer-focused and regulated business. Environments with a focus on strategy and innovation.
– Proven background spanning financial services, mass retail, consumer goods logistics, management consultancy and advertising.
Mark’s career has spanned financial services, retail, e-commerce, management consultancy and advertising. Most recently, he was Chief Executive of the MoneySupermarket Group, overseeing a period of revenue and profit growth for the UK listed price comparison business. Mark’s previous roles include the Retail and Online Director for John Lewis and the Managing Director of eBay UK.
External Appointments
– Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit, Remuneration, Risk and Responsible Banking Committees of Santander UK plc.
– Non-Executive Director of Hammer PW Topco Limited.
Fiona McBain
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed
September 2018
Committees
Investment Committee (Chair)
Audit Committee
Board Risk Committee
Nomination and Governance Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Extensive experience in retail financial services.
– Strong background in M&A and developing strategic partnerships.
– Expertise in audit having worked as an auditor and serving as Audit Committee Chair of other listed companies.
Fiona’s experience in retail financial services, both in the industry and as an auditor, was gained in the UK and the USA. Fiona qualified as an accountant early in her career at Arthur Young (now EY). Until January 2019, she was Vice-Chair of Save the Children UK and a Trustee Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy. Previously, Fiona served as CEO of Scottish Friendly Group for 11 years, before which she was Scottish Friendly Group’s Finance Director. Between February 2009 and June 2023 she served as Chair and Non-Executive Director of the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc. Fiona is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.
External Appointments
– Senior Independent Director, Chair of Audit Committee and Non-Executive Director of Monzo Bank Limited.
David Neave
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed
October 2023
Committees
Audit Committee
Board Risk Committee
Nomination and Governance Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Deep understanding of general and life insurance markets.
– Extensive experience in senior management and non-executive roles.
– Proven record of of delivering general insurance business modernisation.
David is a former Chief Executive of General Insurance for Co-operative Insurance. Following his executive career, spanning over twenty years in senior management roles in general insurance, David has held chairmanships, non-executive directorships and advisory roles in a number of insurance, InsurTech, consultancy and legal businesses, including Slater and Gordon UK Ltd, The Solicitors Indemnity Fund, Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society and Accenture UK Ltd.
External Appointments
– Chair of the Advisory Board of the Common Automotive Platform Standard.
Gregor Stewart
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed
March 2018
Committees
Audit Committee (Chair)
Board Risk Committee
Nomination and Governance Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Strong audit background having worked as a partner in Ernst & Young’s Financial Services practice.
– Extensive experience in the insurance and investment management industry.
– Deep knowledge and understanding of financial services regulation and practice.
Gregor worked at Ernst & Young for 23 years, 10 of which were as partner in the financial services practice. Between 2009 and 2012, he was Finance Director for the insurance division of Lloyd’s Banking Group plc which included Scottish Widows. Gregor previously served as Chair and Non-Executive Director of Alliance Trust plc and FNZ (UK) Limited. Gregor is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
External Appointments
– Deputy Chair, Chair of the Risk Committee and Non-Executive Director of FNZ Group.
Adam Winslow
Chief Executive Officer
Key Skills and Experience
Adam Winslow became Chief Executive Officer of Direct Line Group in March 2024. He brings extensive financial services and insurance expertise gained over 20+ years in the sector. He joined Direct Line Group from Aviva, where he was CEO, UK & Ireland General Insurance. He previously held the post of CEO for Aviva’s international businesses. Before working at Aviva, Adam was CEO of Global Life Insurance at AIG, having previously held several other management positions at the company across several markets including serving as CEO of AIG Life UK. Adam started his career at Allianz Asset Management in France, followed by further international experience in South Africa overseeing a large business process outsourcing contact centre. Adam has a master’s degree in European Business from the ESCP Business School in Paris and a bachelor’s degree in History with French from York University.
Neil Manser
Chief Financial Officer
Appointed
May 2021
Committees
Investment Committee
Key Skills and Experience
– Strong background in financial and strategic leadership roles.
– Extensive corporate finance and capital markets knowledge.
– Deep understanding of the operation of strategy and culture in the insurance industry.
Neil was appointed as CFO in May 2021. Since he joined the Group in 2011, Neil has held several roles in Finance and Strategy from Director of Investor Relations, to Managing Director of NIG and Chief Strategy Officer. Neil was instrumental in the Group’s successful IPO in 2012. He brings extensive industry and capital markets experience to the Board having previously worked at Brit Insurance, Merrill Lynch and Fox-Pitt, Kelton. Neil is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
External Appointments
– None.
Dhruv Gahlaut
Chief Strategy and Investor Relations Officer
Experience and Qualifications
Dhruv joined the Group as the Chief Strategy and Investor Relations Officer in August 2024.
Dhruv has over 18 years’ experience in financial services, with roles spanning across the insurance industry and equity research. He has worked in both listed and unlisted companies and held senior roles at both life and non-life insurers.
During his career, Dhruv has been involved in business turnarounds, witnessed multiple corporate market events (during equity research and corporate), developed strategy and investor relations agendas (equity and debt) and gained a deep understanding of various business models and equity stories across the global financial sector while working in equity research.
Dhruv is a CFA Charterholder and holds both an actuarial science diploma and an undergraduate degree in economics.
Hugh Hessing
Chief Operating Officer
Experience and Qualifications
Hugh joined the Group as Chief Operating Officer in July 2024.
Hugh has over 30 years’ experience in Financial Services. Hugh spent 10 years at KPMG and led the Insurance and FSA practices, followed by 14 years at Aviva in a variety of roles including UK COO, CEO of Aviva Ireland, plus Director roles in UK Claims and Global Transformation.
Hugh has an exceptional track record of leading businesses through critical strategic change, with a major emphasis on creating growth and significant efficiency improvement whilst retaining focus on customers and employees.
Lucy Johnson
Managing Director, Motor
Experience and Qualifications
Lucy joined the Group as Managing Director, Motor, in June 2024.
Lucy has more than 20 years’ experience across Finance Services, including Insurance. She previously held the posts of Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer and Managing Director, Underwriting Services, for Hastings Direct, where Lucy worked for 7 years.
Lucy started her career in Barclays Bank, and worked across the Retail Banking division and into Barclaycard where her final role was Managing Director, Small Business. In recent years Lucy has operated as an independent consultant across financial services as a Partner in Positive Momentum.
Lucy has a degree in Maths, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics from Warwick University.
Ash Jokhoo
Chief Information Officer
Experience and Qualifications
Ash joined the Group in 2021. He has over 20 years’ experience of delivering technological transformation that underpins growth with a focus on the customer journey. He is passionate about technology and diversity.
Ash was previously CIO at Virgin Atlantic where he oversaw technology and data strategy. Prior to this he was UK & Ireland CIO at Centrica, British Gas and Bord Gáis. Additionally, he has 10 years’ experience in Telecommunications, holding roles at TalkTalk, Tiscali and British Telecom.
Ash holds a degree in Engineering Product Design. He is a guest speaker and visiting lecturer at London South Bank University.
Vicky Wallis
Chief People Officer
Experience and Qualifications
Vicky joined the Group in April 2020. She has a wealth of experience in building HR functions, developing cultural frameworks and enhancing people capabilities.
Vicky joined the Group having worked previously at Santander where she was the HR Director for five years. Having operated in international organisations with global roles and projects in India, Romania, EMEA and the US, Vicky has experience in finance, retail and mobile telecommunications.
Vicky is CIPD qualified and holds a Master’s degree in Organisational Leadership.
Humphrey Tomlinson
General Counsel
Experience and Qualifications
Humphrey joined the Group in 2011 and has over 30 years’ experience as a solicitor. He is responsible for the Group Legal function and oversees a range of areas of legal advice and services.
Humphrey’s experience includes advising on corporate and commercial matters, steering corporate transactions in the UK and internationally, managing legal risk and dealing with corporate governance issues. Before joining the Group, Humphrey was Group Legal Director at RSA and prior to that he was a corporate lawyer with the City law firm, Ashurst.