Chief Guidewire & Platform Architecture Officer
Insurance (Life & Pensions) | UK (Hybrid)
Overview
We are seeking a senior Guidewire-led executive to take ownership of the platform, architecture, and market-facing growth agenda for a UK insurance organisation undergoing significant transformation and scale. This role combines deep Guidewire expertise with commercial acumen , responsible not only for technical direction but also for capital efficiency, platform scalability, partner leverage, and market positioning .
The successful candidate will be a recognised industry operator, capable of bringing established Guidewire, SI, and insurer relationships , shaping go-to-market strategy, and helping position the organisation as a credible, scalable player in the insurance technology landscape.
Key Responsibilities
Guidewire Platform & Architecture Leadership
- Own the end-to-end Guidewire platform strategy , including PolicyCenter, BillingCenter, ClaimsCenter, Digital, DataHub, and associated cloud and integration layers.
- Define target-state architectures that support high-volume scale, multi-product expansion, and future acquisitions .
- Ensure Guidewire implementations are designed for cost efficiency, resilience, and long-term commercial return .
Capitalisation & Scale
- Shape technology strategy to support capital optimisation , cost control, and efficient growth.
- Influence investment decisions relating to core platforms, cloud, data, and AI, ensuring strong ROI and value creation.
- Support M&A and portfolio growth through scalable, repeatable platform patterns.
AI, Data & Differentiation
- Embed AI and advanced analytics into Guidewire-centric architectures to drive differentiation across underwriting, claims, customer engagement, and operations.
- Ensure AI capability is production-grade, governed, and scalable within regulated insurance environments.
Market Making & External Relationships
- Leverage established Guidewire, system integrator, and insurer relationships to support delivery, partnerships, and growth.
- Act as an external ambassador for the organisation within the Guidewire and insurance technology ecosystem.
- Support go-to-market strategy, client engagement, and senior-level commercial conversations where technology credibility is critical.
Transformation & Delivery Oversight
- Provide executive architectural authority across large-scale transformation programmes.
- Guide delivery teams and partners to ensure consistency, quality, and speed of execution.
- Balance innovation with operational resilience and regulatory expectations.
Executive & Board Engagement
- Advise the Board and Executive Committee on platform strategy, investment, and technology risk.
- Provide clear, outcome-focused reporting on transformation progress, scalability, and commercial impact.
- Support regulatory, audit, and governance engagements as required.
Experience & Background
- Senior executive or C-1 experience leading Guidewire-centric transformations within Insurance.
- Deep, demonstrable expertise across the Guidewire ecosystem .
- Proven experience operating at scale within regulated insurance environments.
- Strong network across Guidewire, SIs, insurers, and technology partners , with the ability to bring relationships and credibility.
- Experience supporting growth, capital efficiency, or PE-backed environments is highly desirable.
Skills & Attributes
- Commercially minded technology leader with strong market presence.
- Able to operate across architecture, strategy, investment, and partnerships.
- Credible at Board, investor, and client level.
- Outcome-driven, pragmatic, and comfortable making high-impact decisions.
- Strong communicator able to position technology as a growth and valuation lever.
What’s on Offer
- Executive compensation package with performance-linked incentives.
- Opportunity to shape and scale a Guidewire-led insurance platform .
- High-visibility role with genuine influence over growth, capitalisation, and market position.
- Hybrid UK working model.