Direct Line Group (the “Group”) is pleased to announce that Jane Poole is to be appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer of the Company, subject to regulatory approval. Jane will join the Board in October 2024, succeeding Neil Manser who has been in post since January 2021.
Jane is a highly experienced CFO with extensive general insurance knowledge following a long and successful career building high performance teams in the financial services industry. Since 2021, she has been CFO for Aviva’s UK and Ireland General Insurance business, driving business performance and improving profitability. Prior to this, Jane was CFO for Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA) UK & International businesses having held senior Finance roles at the insurer since 2006. Jane qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Neil has been with the Group since 2011 and CFO since January 2021. Neil was instrumental in the Group’s successful IPO in 2012 and has helped to steer the business through a series of external challenges in recent years. Neil will remain as CFO until Jane arrives to ensure an orderly transition of responsibilities.
Danuta Gray, Chair of Direct Line Group, said: “The Board is delighted to welcome Jane Poole as our new Group CFO. Jane has impressive experience in the UK general insurance market and an enviable record of success in leading teams in personal and commercial lines insurance. The Board conducted an extensive search to secure such a high calibre appointee and I am confident that Jane Poole will be a great asset to our organisation. At the same time, I would like to thank Neil Manser for steering the Group through what has been a challenging time and the part he has played in stabilising the business for the future.”
Jane Poole, Group CFO designate of Direct Line Group, said: “I am delighted to be joining Direct Line Group as CFO at this important time and motivated to drive business performance to realise the significant potential ahead for the Group. I am looking forward to joining the Board and leading the Finance function as the organisation looks to drive growth, deliver on its commitments to serving its millions of customers and creating long-term sustainable shareholder value.”
This announcement is made in accordance with the requirements of Listing Rule 9.6.11.
For investor and media enquiries please contact:
Paul Smith
Director of Business Performance and Investor Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 7795 811 263
Alan Oliver
Group Communications
+44 (0)7385 481295
Notes to editors:
- We are the UK's only diversified insurer and we operate in the UK, Ireland and Canada. We also have international investments in India and China.
- We help our 25.3 million customers make the most out of life, plan for the future, and have the confidence that if things go wrong we’ll be there to put it right.
- We have been taking care of people for more than 325 years, in line with our purpose of being ‘with you today, for a better tomorrow’. In 2025, we paid £31.9 billion in claims and benefits to our customers.
- Aviva is a Living Wage, Living Pension and Living Hours employer and provides market-leading benefits for our people, including flexible working, paid carers leave and equal parental leave. Find out more at www.aviva.com/about-us/our-people/
- As at 30 June 2026, total Group assets under management at Aviva Group were £479 billion and our estimated Solvency II shareholder capital surplus was £6.8 billion. Our shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and we are a member of the FTSE 100 index.
- For more details on what we do, our business and how we help our customers, visit www.aviva.com/about-us
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