Get to know our IT teams
Putting customer experience at the heart of IT service
Our IT department is made up of a number of teams – each with their own goals and focus. We sat down with our IT team leaders to find out more about their individual teams and the IT department as a whole...
Why is working in IT at Allianz so exciting?
“Delivering digital solutions that make a real difference to our customers and colleagues is a tremendously exciting and challenging thing to be involved in. And working in a company that recognises the importance that technology plays in all our lives means that we’re always encouraged and challenged to find new ways of enhancing the customer experience using digital services. In the UK, we were among the first part of the group to adopt Cloud and fully embrace DevOps methods of continuous delivery. We’re already making extensive use of robotics to simplify internal processes, and exploring how Artificial Intelligence will allow us to continually transform the way we work.”
Graeme Chisnall, Interim Head of Development Operations
“It’s fantastically interesting to work with all areas of the organisation and to help the business experts realise their ambitions. The diversity of the work we do is what keeps it exciting. One minute we might be discussing the strategic impact of a large programme. Next, we’re having a conversation about the best approach to solving a detailed technical problem.”
Adam Rates, Head of IT Strategy & Architecture
“We sit between IT and our business colleagues - and the day to day work we perform has a direct impact on our business colleagues’ IT experience. If we do something well you see an instant positive reaction from our colleagues who serve our customers. Likewise, we soon know when something isn’t operating well! Receiving such instant feedback is great for keeping interest high and of course knowing which parts of our IT Delivery we need to improve on.”
Drew Bellamy, IT Service Manager
How is your team helping the IT department work towards achieving its ambitions?
“Infrastructure is always looking to ensure the technology estate is stable and secure and fit for purpose. Recently, we’ve been focussing on improving the stability and usability of the desktop environment, supporting IT and our business to ensure our users can work remotely and have the collaboration and communication tools to do so.”
Rory Middleton, Head of IT Infrastructure Service Delivery
“The IT Strategy and Architecture team helps the organisation realise its ambitions by ensuring we are correctly balancing strategic and tactical requirements. We play a key role in supporting the objectives of simplification and transformation, by modelling change to the application landscape over time and reporting on progress through to our stakeholders.”
Adam Rates, Head of IT Strategy & Architecture
What brings your team together?
“As a group of individuals, we all really care about our customers, so if for example we’ve a problem with one of our systems, we’ll all rally round to help resolve it. We love finding new and exciting ways to solve problems and share our ideas in regular forums.”
Graeme Chisnall, Interim Head of Development Operations
“Our customers! Having a common ‘Service Excellence’ goal really unites the team and pulls everyone together.”
Drew Bellamy, IT Service Manager
“Common interest brings us together and each team member is helpful and inclusive. We work well together and everyone gets involved. The team members really care for each other and help each other out when required.”
Rob Evans, Head of IT QA and IT Risk & Governance
What key skills do you look for when hiring new team members?
“A passion for improving the IT environment and service for our customers is essential. Collaboration skills are also key as we work together to solve problems and deliver a seamless infrastructure environment.”
Rory Middleton, Head of IT Infrastructure Service Delivery
“We look for collaborative people who love finding solutions to difficult problems.”
Adam Rates, Head of IT Strategy & Architecture
“Communication is a vital skill as teamwork is critical to us achieving our goals - it’s how we get stuff done. If you’re a team player, you’ll love it here!”
Graeme Chisnall, Interim Head of Development Operations
A Career in Information Technology at Allianz
Join us at Allianz and grow your career journey with us. We offer many opportunities to learn and develop.
