Embattled Direct Line boss Adam Winslow has delivered a rallying call to shareholders to back his embryonic turnaround, as the troubled insurer’s chief executive tries to fend off a £3.3 billion takeover approach from FTSE 100 giant Aviva.
Winslow is calling on shareholders to allow his newly assembled management team the time to prove they can reinvigorate the business behind Green Flag and Churchill.
“We’re making excellent progress in the early stages of a significant turnaround, with a refreshed and world-class leadership team in place to deliver the strategy,” he told The Sunday Times, in his first public comments since news of an approach by Aviva, run by Winslow’s former boss, Dame Amanda Blanc, leaked last week.
“People like to talk Direct Line down,