Claims Direct chief stands down before end-of-year results

Controversial claims management company Claims Direct's chief executive Colin Poole is to stand down ahead of the company's end-of-year results later this month.The company was the subject of a critical investigation of the company last year by the BBC's 'Watchdog' programme and the Sun over how much of their winnings clients kept.He has become non-executive deputy chairman, and is replaced by finance director Paul Doona, who becomes managing director.In April, Mr Poole issued a profits warning predicting a year-end loss of 20 million - original forecasts when the company floated last July predicted a year-end profit of 20 million.A spokesman for the company said Mr Poole's new role would be 'more strategic than nitty-gritty'.He could not comment on whether Mr Poole's change of role related to fears that losses may exceed 20 million, as the company is now in a close period.Jeremy Fleming