Alex Sidgreaves, chief data officer, Zurich Insurance

Describe your career to date

I joined Zurich in 2005 after completing a degree in Computer Programming at Portsmouth University, including 18 months working for MS&D as a web developer and analyst.

My first job at Zurich was in data as an MI analyst - surfacing information out of mainframe systems and making it useable for those who needed it. From there I held multiple roles moving up through the data organisation to data consultant. I got to be part of the team as it grew from looking after one business unit to where we are now, supporting everything from personal insurance through to SME, mid-market, large corporate, municipal insurance and more recently life insurance.

Six years ago, Zurich embarked on a complete data transformation journey, and I played a key part in completely redesigning the function to be fit for success in the future. This included a total restructure of the team, designing and embedding new disciplines such as data architecture and establishing our inaugural data strategy. During this period, I held a number of roles including head of DataOps, lead domain architect, and latterly head of data.

I had the opportunity to set the direction for data across the UK organisation, overseeing large-scale award-winning transformation data projects, establishing the company’s first data architecture practice and design and driving through the application of the data strategy.

In July 2022, I took on the role of chief data officer which saw my area of responsibility grow to include data science, automation and continuous improvement, alongside opportunities to work much more closely with our group colleagues to challenge the status quo and help set the direction of the Zurich Group. I am a passionate advocate of diversity in the workplace which has seen me take on the role of co-chair on our cultural awareness network, alongside my data passion and external responsibilities as a member of the DataIQ advisory board.