Guidewire Centre of Excellence – a chance to make a BIG impact

At NFU Mutual, our focus on providing excellent customer service is central to our success, and this is especially true within our Guidewire Centre of Excellence. The structure of this team enables them to embrace a collegiate culture, where through their work, each person has the opportunity to make a noticeable impact to the support we give to our customers and colleagues. In turn, they feel supported and empowered in their careers. We spoke to some of the team to explore how the company’s supportive culture not only fosters personal growth but also enables them to drive meaningful change in their roles. 

How is being part of the Guidewire team at NFU Mutual different to other companies?

Howard Goodman, Head of IT Applications: Being part of our Guidewire Centre of Excellence means having a direct impact on our general insurance business. The structure of our team means we’re closer to the strategy than other organisations, where layers of hierarchy and bureaucracy can slow things down. Here, you can see the connection between strategy and implementation, without any hands-off moments, which helps you make a real difference. 

Richard Hill, Senior Developer: At NFU Mutual, every piece of work we do is directly tied to doing the right thing for our customers, making it far more meaningful and impactful. Unlike other companies where you might work on code without knowing if it will ever go live, here we’re very close to our end users. Every change we make is aimed at delivering real value, and we see the real-world impact of our work through fast feedback. This direct connection to our customers gives us a strong sense of purpose and drives us to always deliver our best. 

How does the structure of the team impact the culture? 

Howard: The structure of the team fosters a much more collegiate culture, which is fantastic. It allows us to be more agile and efficient because everyone is encouraged to have a voice. When you have the right people working together, everything just flows, and you move faster as a team. We’re able to push ahead of competitors because of this approach. 

Indu Mari, Senior Developer: The culture here is very positive and supportive. Everyone is approachable and willing to help, whether it’s for technical assistance or general support. There’s no hesitation in reaching out to others across the team, and it’s this open, collaborative environment that makes it easy to get work done. Being able to contribute to real-time, customer-facing experiences is also extremely fulfilling. 

Richard: NFU Mutual is a very supportive company. If you’re ever struggling, there’s always someone to turn to for help. The company offers ample opportunities to develop your skills or even switch roles if you’re looking for a change. It’s an environment that helps you grow. 

What do you most enjoy about the working style at NFU Mutual? 

Liz Jones, Application Delivery Manager: I really enjoy working with the people. The team, especially in the Guidewire Centre of Excellence, is fantastic. We face challenges together, and no matter how difficult the task, we always work through it as a team. It’s the collaborative environment that makes it so enjoyable. 

Richard: The collaborative spirit within the company is one of the best things about working here. Whether it’s across departments or within my team, there’s always a strong sense of teamwork. That, combined with the company’s long-term vision, makes it a place where I feel both supported and challenged. 

Howard: The thing that stands out to me most is the team-oriented environment. Even though we have a hierarchy, it’s not something that’s felt day-to-day. The focus is on collaboration and delivering results as a unified team. It’s this sense of camaraderie that makes it such a great place to work.

If you could sum up why someone should work in the Guidewire Centre of Excellence at NFU Mutual, what would you say? 

Howard: There are a few key things. First, the ability to engender change. Authority and empowerment are part of the role, not just labels. We do things differently, and we’re really proud of how we operate and how we work together. We only deliver if the whole team delivers. Having the chance to be part of a team where you can actually make a difference doesn’t come around often, but the roles in our Guidewire Centre of Excellence offer exactly that, as they’re right at the heart of our general insurance business strategy. 

A culture of support that drives success 

At NFU Mutual, our people are empowered to pursue their goals, knowing they have a supportive team behind them every step of the way. In the Guidewire Centre of Excellence, every individual has the opportunity to make a noticeable impact. This sense of ownership and connection really drives the success of the team. 

Join us on our journey 

This is a chance to be part of the creation of transformative solutions that will have a lasting impact on the general insurance business at NFU Mutual, our customers and their communities. Check out the latest Guidewire vacancies and join us on this exciting journey.