DLG appoints Aviva c-suite member as new group chief risk officer

Direct Line Group (DLG) has announced the appointment of Maz Bown as its new group chief risk officer. 

Bown will join the business at the end of the year and add to DLG’s new look management team, which has seen a number of additions since Adam Winslow officially became chief executive on 1 March this year (2024). 

Like Winslow and DLG’s recently appointed chief financial officer Jane Poole, Bown will join the insurer from Aviva, where she worked most recently as chief risk officer for UK general insurance and health. 

Bown is a qualified actuary and has over 21 years’ experience, including familiarity with leading risk functions in both the UK and Canadian markets. 

DLG said that Bown would become responsible for ensuring the executive team and board had a “comprehensive view” of how key risks were managed and controlled across the business. 

Winslow commented: ”With an impressive depth of knowledge and experience as a leader in risk management, Bown is a very welcome addition to the leadership of our business. 

“I am delighted to welcome her to the group and as part of my new management team.” 

DLG c-suite changes recap

DLG’s leadership structure has seen a number of key appointments since Winslow became chief executive earlier this year, when he joined from Aviva. 

Following Winslow’s start date, DLG then announced that former Aviva chief financial officer for general insurance Jane Poole would also join the insurer in October 2024. 

And then, in May, the business announced major leadership changes that saw Hugh Hessing move into the position of chief operating officer, while Craig Thornton became managing director for home and growth and Martin Milliner became managing director of claims. 

Hessing also had a 14 year history with Aviva and was the insurer’s chief operating officer until April 2020, before joining Enstar Group. 

Later in May, the insurer also announced that Lucy Johnson would take up the role of managing director for motor, while Dhruv Gahlaut would become chief strategy and investor relations officer.

Talking at the time of this reshuffle, Winslow explained: ”At our full year results, I committed to strengthening our leadership team to deliver the changes that are required. 

”The new appointments will be central to delivering our strategy to transform the group.”