The Hartford Unveils Leadership Changes and New Structure for Technology and Operations
The Hartford, a renowned entity in the insurance and financial services sector, has unveiled transformative changes in its executive lineup alongside a revamped organisational structure focusing on Technology and Operations.
Shekar Pannala has been appointed as the new Chief Information Officer (CIO). In this capacity, he will spearhead the Technology division, encompassing critical areas such as cybersecurity, infrastructure, and cloud modernisation initiatives.
Jeffery Hawkins has stepped into the role of Chief Data, AI, and Operations Officer. With an expanded mandate, he will continue to lead the company’s data, analytics, and AI pursuits while also overseeing Operations management.
Both Pannala and Hawkins will report directly to Christopher Swift, Chairman and CEO of The Hartford, with their appointments effective immediately.
Previously, Deepa Soni held the position of Chief Information and Operations Officer. She has decided to resign to pursue opportunities outside the company. During the transition, she will work closely with Pannala and Hawkins to ensure a smooth handover.
“In recent years, we have achieved significant advancements in our Technology and Operations strategy, including the digitisation of processes, the modernisation of foundational technology infrastructure, and strategic investments in cloud, data, and AI,” said Swift.
“Our new structure allows us to concentrate more intently on these crucial priorities and leverage our competitive advantages.”
Pannala joins The Hartford with over three decades of technology leadership experience. His previous role was as Global CIO at Chubb, where he managed enterprise-wide technology. His past roles also include serving as Chief Technology Officer at S&P Global and holding senior positions at BNY Mellon, where he was Executive Vice President and Divisional CIO responsible for asset servicing technology.
Hawkins, with a robust background of over 25 years in technology, previously held the position of CIO at CVS Health, where he led a major technology transformation. Before CVS, Hawkins dedicated two decades to Humana, where he was instrumental in driving digital transformation and enhancing customer experiences through various senior leadership roles.
Swift added, “Shekar has crafted the technology strategy for our property-and-casualty business units, and with his extensive industry knowledge, he is perfectly suited for this newly created role. Jeff’s strong technical prowess and strategic leadership make him ideal for embedding data, analytics, and AI into Operations and throughout our enterprise. I am eager to collaborate closely with Shekar and Jeff as we continue to elevate our technological capabilities to enrich the experiences we offer to our customers and distribution partners.”
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