Winslow and DLG leadership team to step down upon completion of Aviva’s DLG acquisition

Direct Line Group (DLG) has announced that chief executive Adam Winslow will step down from his role as chief executive following Aviva’s acquisition of the insurer.

Winslow took up the role in March 2024, joining from Aviva, where he served as the UK general insurance top boss for just under three years.

Following Aviva announcing its £3.7bn acquisition of DLG in December 2024, there has been speculation as to what would happen to Winslow’s position.

In a statement today (23 June 2025), DLG confirmed that Winslow would step down alongside chief financial officer Jane Poole and the current non-executive directors.

DLG’s statement added that Jason Storah would become chief executive of the DLG business in his capacity as chief executive of Aviva’s UK and Ireland general insurance business.

However, Insurance Times understands that Storah has only been named as chief executive because he is the leader of the wider Aviva UK and Ireland business, with Aviva intending to name DLG’s new chief executive officer at some time next week. 

Scheme of arrangement

They are set to step down should a scheme of arrangement be approved at a sanction hearing on 1 July 2025.

The scheme can be used to action the reorganisation of a company or group structure.

DLG said: “Direct Line announces that Adam Winslow and Jane Poole have agreed, subject to and with effect from the scheme becoming effective, to step down from their respective positions as chief executive and chief financial officer of Direct Line and from the Direct Line board.

“Both will serve the first two months of their notice period on garden leave, during which time they will remain available for transitional support. They will both then leave employment and receive a payment in lieu of the remainder of their respective notice periods.”