5th Annual Insurance Technology Congress

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ITC 2015 - CIO Roundtable

I was fortunate enough to participate in a CIO Leadership Round table at the 2015 Insurance Technology Congress. The appetite for change within the London Insurance market is palpable. Many are waking up to the fact that stagnation is not an option.

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We discussed disruptors, the Target Operating Model, as well as the the many cultural barriers technical leaders are having to address. Sessions like these are often cathartic as challenges across the competitive landscape are often so similar!

Once again I took the opportunity to state that "Digital" needs to stop being a sub-culture that is hidden away from both the executive or traditional IT. To become a true change agent and enabler of competitive advantage, Digital needs to be something that is embraced by the entire executive team - from CEO down. We also discussed the "PR problem" within the insurance industry that makes it so difficult to attract top technical talent into the industry. If we are lucky enough to attract this talent we need to overcome cultural hurdles within the incumbent "kiss-up, kick-down" working environment that will allow these people be creative and flourish.

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It was great having a change to engage in the discussion with the other panelists:

  • Paolo Cuomo - (Moderator) Chief Operating Office, Charles Taylor Managing Agency
  • Darius Kumana - Head of Digital, Markel International
  • Andrew McQuade - Managing Director, Kyngswoode Services
  • Tom Payne - Group IT Director, Minova Insurance Holdings
  • Gareth Wharton - Chief Technology Office, Hiscox
  • Richard Williams - Chief Information Officer, Mitsui Sumitomo

An interview I gave for the Insurance Journal touches on many of these topics and is available as a podcast: 'Outside Forces’ are Changing the Industry: Markel’s Kumana Has Solutions

Presented at

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The fifth annual Insurance Technology Congress is THE most important gathering of insurance technology experts in the industry, and firmly established as the leading annual event to gain an understanding of technology as a strategic tool and hear the very latest technological process developments in London, and the wider insurance market.

Recommended Reading

I would highly recommend the following books where you can find more information on some of the topics discussed.