Al Mathie, Chief Data Officer, NFU Mutual

Describe your career to date

I have spent the vast majority of my career in insurance, always around technology and data, and with a focus on strategy and transformation delivery.

A large part of my career was with Aviva, where I became really interested in how data can drive a business forward. It was during this time that I developed a real passion for claims and how data can be used to improve the claims experience for customers and managed cost.

Following my time at Aviva, I made a conscious decision to go consulting and joined Baringa where I spent four years working with insurers on their data strategies and data transformation programmes. It was working at Baringa, leading a piece of work to develop the data strategy for NFU Mutual, that led me to my current role; joining as the first Chief Data Officer and getting to deliver the vision I helped set out was just too good an opportunity to walk past.

I am now just over two years into my Chief Data Officer tenure and, as I reflect back on my time so far, there are three key takeaways I thought worth sharing:

• My role is one of a business leader, not a technology leader. I need to know technology, but understanding what we do as a business is critical; it allows us to focus the conversation on value outcomes not the inputs.
• Build a great team of passionate people around you. Technology continues to change, so go for a growth mindset and desire to learn.
• Be restless, relentless, and kind. Accept that change is a constant, so the journey will never be done. Focus on driving value outcomes quickly and often, and most importantly be brave and face into the tough decisions early.