My career began at ICI Paints as a Junior Programmer and Customer Field Support for a crash repair software package. After seven years, I transitioned to the IT contractor market during the Y2K boom, where I co-developed a software product for the automotive industry. The successful sale of this venture allowed me to take time off, spend time with my young family, and consider my next steps.
A role at Willis sparked my interest in large-scale commercial insurance and data, marking the third chapter of my career. Starting as a Solution Architect and eventually becoming Head of Data Architecture, I discovered a passion for data and its vital role in businesses. Following Willis and its merger with Towers Watson, I joined JLT as Head of Data Architecture, driving the data strategy until Marsh McLennan’s acquisition paused all programmes. I then moved to QBE Insurance as Global Head of Data Architecture, where I built and implemented the data strategy amidst the challenges of the Covid pandemic.
I took on my current role as Chief Data Officer which felt like a natural progression given my long-standing passion for leveraging data to drive meaningful change. In the years since undertaking this role, I have developed the Data Office from a single employee to a team of seventeen, supporting key functions such as governance, design, strategy, and analytics.