Interim Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Contract: 9-12 months (Inside IR35)
Location: London/Hybrid (UK-wide travel as needed)
Start: ASAP
Why this mandate matters
You’re stepping into a leading UK Insurance business that needs a decisive technology leader to help them in their next stage of integration and acceleration. You’ll own the technology estate end-to-end operations, change, resilience, cyber, data, while steering a complex integration and restructuring agenda.
We are seeking a proven Interim CTO with both Insurance and significant Integration programme experience.
What you’ll be accountable for
Full ownership of technology strategy, architecture and delivery ensuring platforms, systems and processes are fit for purpose during (and after) integration.
Operational resilience, business continuity and cyber security frameworks measured, tested and board-assured.
Data governance and protection embedding robust controls for personal and sensitive information across the estate.
Change management and transformation programmes, fast, visible, outcome-focused.
Supplier and outsourcer performance, clear SLAs, tough negotiation, and value-focused vendor consolidation.
Budget ownership, set, track, and optimise multi-million pound tech spend.First 90 days: your hit list
Review the current tech landscape (architecture, vendors, people, risk).
Lock down an integration roadmap for systems, teams, contracts, aligned to business strategy.
Stand up pragmatic governance for cyber, resilience, data and delivery.
Re-shape the tech organisation by optimising as required.Core responsibilities (day-to-day realities)
1. Strategy & Architecture
Define and execute the technology integration plan; align to future-state business needs.
Own IT vision, strategy and roadmaps, legacy modernisation plus modern engineering (cloud, DevOps, CI/CD).2. Leadership & People
Lead a 300 person technology organisation (perm, contract, outsourced).
Attract, retain and motivate high-calibre talent in security, data, engineering and ops.
Communicate with execs and boards, clear, concise, data-led3. Operations & Control
Set robust KPIs, SLAs and metrics for performance and value.
Ensure disaster recovery and continuity plans are real, tested and funded.
Embed best-practice delivery: Agile, DevOps, automated testing, continuous deployment.4. Compliance & Regulation
Operate under SMCR/Cer-Reg accountability; ensure tech risk is visible and managed.
Partner with auditors, regulators and assurance functions.What you bring
Proven CIO/CTO track record in £1bn+ organisations, ideally with Financial Services/Insurance exposure.
End-to-end integration leadership: people, platforms, process, and cost.
Deep understanding of both legacy (Java/DB three-tier) and modern microservices/cloud architectures.
Modern engineering mindset, automation, CI/CD, DevOps, always-on cloud environments.
Executive presence: you can influence, cut through noise, and make calls quickly.
Data-driven decision making; you prove your point with facts, not volume.Nice to have
A strong network across security, data, engineering and vendor ecosystems.
Prior chair/committee experience (e.g., Systems & Information Risk, Continuity).How to apply
Send your CV by applying to this role. Shortlisting will move fast. All applicants will be responded to.
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