<!–
<!–
<!– <!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Direct Line beat its Belgian suitor in a victory for its new boss.
Last night Ageas announced it would not make another offer to the insurer after two failed attempts.
Direct Line said its board was “confident in the group’s standalone prospects”.
The Brussels insurer’s latest takeover attempt, on March 13, valued Direct Line at 237 pence per share, or £3.2 billion. The insurer slammed the latest offer, calling it “unattractive”.
It’s a boost for chief executive Adam Winslow, who insisted the company he joined a few weeks ago had a “very successful future”.
Driven out: Ageas says it will not make another offer for Direct Line after two rejected attempts
The news will also come as a boost to the city after electricity retailer Currys also battled foreign predators this month.
A growing list – including Wincanton and All3Media – have also been targeted by international buyers. Earlier this month, Currys shareholder JO Hambro Capital Management said weak takeover bids for the retailer demonstrated the “absurdity” of UK stock market valuations.