CIO 100: Suncorp

THE SUNCORP GROUP operates general insurance, banking, life insurance and superannuation brands in Australia and New Zealand.

The group employs 1600 people in NZ, and their business technology needs are supported by a team of 100 led by CIO Jane Brewer.

According to Brewer, the group’s business strategy is to strengthen customer relationships through a portfolio of market-leading brands, while benefiting from the efficiencies of scale achievable as a large organisation.

“The business technology team aims to deliver that strategy by improving customer experience,” she states.

Vero Group, for instance, is focused on building a multichannel business across both personal and commercial lines, and continuing to look at ways to make it easier for customers and business partners to engage with it, according to its CEO Paul Smeaton.

This is exemplified, he says, by the recent partnership with Warehouse Money, which allows customers to quote and buy online.

Vero has just been named Intermediated Insurance Company of the Year for 2015 in a survey of nearly 1000 New Zealand insurance brokers and advisors. The annual survey by global research company TNS gathered 934 responses and feedback from all areas of insurance.

Last November, Vero was awarded Intermediated Insurance Company of the Year at the 4th annual New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards, which recognises Vero’s strong performance and outstanding customer service for 2014-15.