Interview: Jen Dallas, RSA Insurance Group, Women in Tech Excellence Awards finalist

‘Diversity must be one of the biggest opportunities in the tech industry'

The Women in Tech Excellence Awards recognise, celebrate and showcase trail blazing women from across the technology space and provide inspiration for younger women curious about building a career in our industry.

RSA Insurance Group is a finalist in the two categories of the Women in Tech Excellence Awards 2024: Outstanding Transformation of the Year and Woman of the Year – Financial Services.

We caught up with Jen Dallas, Capability Transformation Director at RSA Insurance, to discuss the company's biggest challenges of 2024 so far and how it has overcome them.

Jen focuses on creating best in class centres of excellence across the Chief Information Office (CIO) –driving the operating model transformation, including but not limited to, ways of working, supply, demand and resourcing strategy. Her passion for all things 'tech' began in the 1980s watching her father code, spending time playing DOS games and by age ten, teaching others to use computers. Jen has spent the past 15 years honing her skills in the travel and insurance sectors, using her expertise to solve business problems through technology solutions.

What makes you different from other companies?

"RSA is one of the world's longest-serving general insurance companies, being at the heart of the industry over 300 years – with a proud heritage behind us and an exciting journey to look forward to, we're always there to help manage life's risks and make things right when they go wrong," Jen says.

"Our products are as diverse as our customers' needs, with an extensive commercial and specialty insurance offering for businesses big and small.

"Since becoming part of Intact Financial Corporation in 2021, we're determined to do even more to support our customers. Optimising our operations, investing in new technology, and finding better ways to help protect the things our customers care most about.

"Looking forward, we're on a journey to become the best Commercial and Specialty Lines insurer in the UK by the end of 2025, rebuilding internal capability to achieve this."

What one company achievement in the last 12 months are you most proud of?

“We're incredibly proud to have achieved our Women in Finance target of 34% representation in the management group by 2023; a whole year earlier than planned. As a result, we're excited to share we've now set ourselves a new target to achieve 40% female representation in management by 2025. Our CIO female workforce is now above UK average for Women in Tech at both an overall and leadership level."

Why are events like the Women in Tech Excellence Awards important to the IT industry?

“As Billie Jean Kin said, ‘If you can see it, you can be it’. Women play a huge role in what we're achieving across technology and these events give us the opportunity to highlight and recognise these achievements, making sure our efforts are recognised and documented in history.

“We all have a role to play in inspiring young women and girls, showing that technology is something they can enjoy, excel and have fulfilling careers in. These events also help us to quieten the imposter, increase our voice, and inspire the next generation of female technologists.”

What have been the biggest challenges of 2024 so far, and how have you overcome them?

“For me, my biggest challenge has been the need to people please, the impact on my work life balance and my ability to drive results. Often as women we think we can fix or solve everything, we're raised to be everything to everyone, this year has been accepting I don't need to be.

“Historically I've been guilty of putting people on pedestals, trying to impress people for fear of judgement or repercussions. The first thing I did was remove the pedestals; everyone makes mistakes and has imperfections. I've dived into my internal saboteurs, reflecting on what I need, how I can adapt my style and still be authentic. And I've really focused on what I can control, fixing one issue at a time. This combination has allowed me to move forward without fear, being my own self, not always liked, but respected.

“I always give 110%, being comfortable with that has helped me strike a work life balance that enables me to turn up and deliver results.”

What do you see as the main opportunities for the IT industry in the coming year? How do you plan to capitalise on those opportunities?

“Diversity must be one of the biggest opportunities in the tech industry, the UK tech talent shortage isn't going away, but our ability to adapt will drive our success.

“We're seeing the gap close. The Office for National Statistics has reported a large decrease in the number and percentage of adult internet non-users in the last decade, as well as the introduction of AI and low code decreasing the need for full technical literacy as machines and algorithms do the heavy lifting for you. Never has there been a better time to tap into the ‘undiscovered workforce’. We have a growing generation of talent coming through that are technically literate and have the supporting technology to enable them to thrive, now is the time for us to invest and inspire the next generation.

“At RSA we're partnering with suppliers that have a DE&I lens, opening a broader range of talent to us, with focus on potential and aptitude.”