Peter Wood (businessman)

Peter Wood is a British entrepreneur and businessman, best known as the founder of Direct Line, one of the first direct car insurance companies in the United Kingdom.

After working in the insurance industry, Wood identified an opportunity to disrupt the traditional model by selling insurance directly to customers over the phone, cutting out brokers and reducing costs. He launched Direct Line in 1985. The company's innovative approach proved successful, leading to rapid growth and market share.

Following the success of Direct Line, Wood founded other ventures including esure, another insurance company utilizing direct channels. He has also been involved in various other business initiatives and investments.

Wood is considered a significant figure in the evolution of the UK insurance industry, credited with pioneering the direct insurance model that has become commonplace. His entrepreneurial endeavors have had a lasting impact on the way insurance is bought and sold. He remains a prominent figure in the business world.