Direct Line woos hairdressers

DIRECT Line is courting hairdressers as it looks to cash in on the rising number of small businesses, chief executive Paul Geddes said.

The FTSE 100 insurer’s shares climbed after a 9.5pc boost in profits in the first half to £354m and its dividend rose 39pc. It pledged to focus on “under-served and growing” small businesses.

“We chose hair and beauty because [the insurance needed] is quite com- plex,” Mr Geddes said.