Simon joined the Executive Committee of DLG in 2014 as HR Director, and set about developing the people strategy which would support the company’s mission to make insurance easier and better value for customers. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Simon saw this as a key part of making the strategy sustainable for the future, and he was instrumental in raising the debate around this to the top table over the last 2 1/2 years, while also accelerating a range of tactical activity to drive immediate benefit, and which built on the organisations pre-existing Diversity Network Alliance activity. In 2016, Direct Line Insurance Group was the first insurer to sign up to the Government’s Women in Finance Charter, underpinned by further investment in their female talent through a series of specific development programmes designed to support the growth and promotion of our female leaders throughout the organisation.