Leadership 

Appointed
Executive Director in November 2017
Chief Financial Officer in March 2018
Chief Executive Officer since May 2019

Committees
Sustainability Committee

Key Skills and Experience
– Deep knowledge of the financial services and insurance sector.
– Strong leadership skills with a focus on cultural and stakeholder alignment.
– Strategic mindset with proven track record in business transformation.

Penny has extensive financial services experience, having been Group Chief Risk Officer and Executive Director at Prudential plc, where she was responsible for leading risk oversight globally. Before this, Penny was Director of Group Finance at Prudential. She had previously been Group CFO at Omega Insurance Holdings Limited and CFO, UK General Insurance, at Zurich Financial Services. Penny was also a NED of Admiral Group plc from January 2015 to September 2017.

Penny is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

External Appointments

– Co-Chair of the FTSE Women Leaders Review.
– Chair of the FCA Practitioner Panel.
– Member of the Association of British Insurers Board. 
– Senior Independent Director and member of the Risk and Nomination Committees of Hargreaves Lansdown PLC.

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.

Experience and Qualifications
Jessie joined Direct Line Group in 2016. She is responsible for all aspects of personal lines and commercial lines claims; customer sales and service; and the Group’s counter-fraud activities. Her focus is very much about creating value for customers by providing them with an exceptional service and value for money, through controlling claims spend.

Prior to joining Direct Line Group, Jessie was at Aviva plc for 13 years, holding a number of senior Finance Director roles at both the Group and in the UK general Insurance business. Jessie joined Aviva from KPMG and is an associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

External Appointments
– Non-Executive Director of The Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
– Advisory Board member of the CII Society of Claims Professionals.

Experience and Qualifications
Mark joined Direct Line Group in 2012 and is responsible for leading the Group’s Marketing and Digital functions. Before joining the Group, Mark held roles at HSBC, 118 118 (now 118 118 Money) and Mars Inc. He is Chair of the Advertising Association’s Front Foot and a NED of LearnEtAl, an EdTech digital learning company. Mark is also co-founder of the School of Marketing which encourages more school children to consider a career in marketing.

Mark is a member of Save the Children’s Digital Advisory Board and also a Fellow of the Marketing Society.

External Appointments
– Non-Executive Director of Learn Et Al.

Experience and Qualifications
Jon joined the Group in 2000. He has over 30 years’ experience of the insurance industry. He is responsible for delivering the Commercial strategy, developing customer propositions, enhancing the Commercial brands and delivering efficiencies within the Commercial businesses.

Jon was previously Managing Director of the Group’s household and life businesses. He joined the Group as Product and Pricing Director for UK Partnerships. Before joining the Group, Jon held roles at HBOS, MBNA and Pinnacle.

Experience and Qualifications
Aurore joined the Group in 2021. She has over 18 years’ experience with global insurers and investment banks and has deep technical, market and commercial knowledge of the insurance and savings industry.

Before joining the Group, she held several Risk roles at M&G / Prudential including Chief Risk and Compliance Officer of Prudential International Assurance, Transformation Risk Director, and Financial Risk Director of the UK insurance business. Aurore was Head of Asset Liability Management at Old Mutual plc and worked in investment banking at Credit Suisse and Société Générale. She holds a Masters in Stochastic Mathematics and Financial Engineering from Princeton University and the University of Paris VI and is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique and the Ecole Nationale Superieure of Economics and Statistics in France.

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.

Experience and Qualifications
Kate joined Direct Line Group in 2000. She has over 20 years’ experience of the insurance industry and is responsible for delivering the strategy and developing products for the Group’s Home, Pet, Travel, Life and Private Businesses as well as leading the Partnerships division. She is Chair of the Group’s Diversity Network Alliance.

Previously, Kate was Commercial & Marketing Director for Privilege and launched Direct Line for Business in 2007. Before joining the Group, Kate held roles in Calvin Klein Cosmetics, Moore Stephens – Vladivostok and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with the National Audit Office. She is also an Associate of the Royal College of Science.

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.

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. She was also NED and Chair of the Remuneration Committee at both PageGroup plc and Old Mutual plc until 2018.

External Appointments
– Chair of the Board of North SP Limited.
– Non-Executive Director and member of Nomination and Remuneration Committees of Burberry Group plc.

Appointed
Executive Director in November 2017
Chief Financial Officer in March 2018
Chief Executive Officer since May 2019

Committees
Sustainability Committee

Key Skills and Experience
– Deep knowledge of the financial services and insurance sector.
– Strong leadership skills with a focus on cultural and stakeholder alignment.
– Strategic mindset with proven track record in business transformation.

Penny has extensive financial services experience, having been Group Chief Risk Officer and Executive Director at Prudential plc, where she was responsible for leading risk oversight globally. Before this, Penny was Director of Group Finance at Prudential. She had previously been Group CFO at Omega Insurance Holdings Limited and CFO, UK General Insurance, at Zurich Financial Services. Penny was also a NED of Admiral Group plc from January 2015 to September 2017.

Penny is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

External Appointments
– Member of the Association of British Insurers Board.
– Chair of the FCA Practitioner Panel.
– Senior Independent Director and member of the Risk and Nomination Committees of Hargreaves Lansdown plc.

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.

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.

Appointed
November 2021

Committees
Sustainability Committee
Remuneration Committee

Key Skills and Experience
– Deep understanding of the development of corporate and digital strategy.
– International experience with broad perspective of business and capital markets.
– Expertise in digital transformation, customer analytics and stakeholder communications.

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 of Domino's Pizza Group plc.

Appointed
March 2018

Committees
Risk Committee (Chair)
Remuneration Committee
Investment Committee
Audit 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 Chair of Remuneration Committee of Entain plc.

Appointed
August 2014

Committees
Sustainability Committee (Chair)
Nomination and Governance Committee
Remuneration Committee

Key Skills and Experience
– Extensive experience in retail and consumer practice with large retail groups.
– Strong track record of business transformation and change.
– Detailed understanding of UK consumer markets, products and brands.

Sebastian is Managing Director of Boots UK, a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. Until 2018, he was Group Chief Executive of Dixons Carphone plc, having previously held the role of Group Chief Executive of Dixons Retail plc from 2012. Before this, Sebastian was CEO of Synergy Insurance Services Limited, a private equity backed insurance company, and was previously Strategy Director at Mothercare plc. He began his career at The Boston Consulting Group.

External Appointments
– Managing Director of Boots UK, a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
– Senior Vice President of Walgreen Boots Alliance, Inc.
– Trustee of the Museum of Modern Art Limited.

Appointed
September 2018

Committees
Investment Committee (Chair)
Audit Committee
Board Risk Committee

Key Skills and Experience
– Extensive global experience in retail financial services.
– Strong background in M&A and developing strategic partnerships.
– Expertise in audit having worked as an auditor and served 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. Fiona is an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

External Appointments
– Chair of Audit Committe and Non-Executive Director of Currys plc.
– Chair and Non-Executive Director of the Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc.
– Chair of Audit Committee and Non-Executive Director of Monzo Bank Limited.

Appointed
March 2018

Committees
Audit Committee (Chair)
Board Risk 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 is a Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

External Appointments
– Chair and Non-Executive Director of Alliance Trust plc.
– Chair and Non-Executive Director of FNZ (UK) Limited.
– Chair of the Risk Committee and Non-Executive Director of FNZ Group.