Direct Line Group adds new leaders to executive committee

Direct Line Group (DLG) has made additions to its executive committee, appointing three new leaders to further enhance its management capability and support growth.

In a news release, the company announced that it has named Craig Thornton as managing director home and growth, Martin Milliner as managing director of claims, and Hugh Hessing as chief operating officer.

Thornton’s new role will see him taking charge of the DLG’s home and growth insurance strategies across all its brands. He has spent the last 10 years as general insurance, protection and investments director at Lloyds Banking Group.

Milliner will work on advancing the company’s claims function to achieve market leadership and enhanced operational efficiency. His prior roles include head of operational claims and director of claimant technical services at LV=. He is also involved with the Thatcham and Insurance Fraud Bureau boards.

Hessing will oversee customer operations, procurement, and transformation activities. His background includes roles such as UK chief operating officer and UK customer services director at Aviva, and CEO of Aviva Ireland. He has also led major transformation projects at both Aviva and KPMG.

All three will report to CEO Adam Winslow, according to the release.

“At our full year results, I committed to strengthening our leadership team to deliver the changes that are required,” he said. “The new appointments I’m announcing today will be central to delivering our strategy to transform the group. The calibre of these appointments is a testament to the underlying strength and attractiveness of the business.”

DLG also names director of corporate affairs and chief of staff

Alongside changes to its executive committee, DLG has appointed Roger Lowry as director of corporate affairs and Alexandra Hayes as chief of staff.

Lowry joins DLG from QBE Insurance, where he was the director of communications and marketing. He has a strong background in financial services and regulatory affairs, having held roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland and Ofcom.

Hayes was chief of staff to the CEO at Lloyd’s. Her new role at DLG will see her supporting Winslow’s work as the company’s CEO. Her background includes multiple leadership roles on operations as a Royal Engineers Officer in the British Army.

Both Lowry and Hayes will report directly to Winslow and attend the executive committee, the release from DLG said.

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