Direct Line Group has announced that acting chief financial officer Neil Manser has accepted the role on a permanent basis.

The board has appointed Manser as an executive director and a member of the investment committee.

Manser took on role of acting CFO in January, when Tim Harris took a leave of absence while a family member underwent medical treatment. Harris has subsequently decided to prioritise his family and retire as an executive director and CFO.

Manser is DLG’s chief strategy officer, former managing director of DLG’s commercial business, NIG, and former director of investor relations. He previously held the role of deputy CFO and also deputised as interim CFO between May and October 2019.

Danuta Gray, DLG chair, said: “On behalf of the DLG board and all our colleagues, I would like to thank Tim Harris for the exceptional contribution he has made as CFO since 2019 and to wish him and his family the very best. The board warmly welcomes Neil Manser as our new CFO. Not only has Neil proven himself to be extremely capable while acting as CFO during Tim’s leave of absence but he has also held a number of senior roles across the business, giving him a deep understanding of capital markets, strategy and the culture of the group.”