Technical challenges and opportunities of the Guidewire transformation

At NFU Mutual, we’re undertaking one of the most technically challenging projects in our history, with Guidewire products right at its core. We spoke with various experts from our Guidewire Centre of Excellence to learn more about the challenging technical opportunities within the team and how they’re key to driving future growth and success across our general insurance business. 

What makes the roles in the Guidewire Centre of Excellence so technically challenging? 

Liz Jones, Application Delivery Manager: Our team works across all core Guidewire products – PolicyCenter, ClaimCenter, and BillingCenter – and that’s just the start. We’re integrating these products into a single cohesive system, which requires a deep understanding of Guidewire and how each piece connects to the other. This is a full Guidewire house, and we’re always looking for experts to help us build out and improve these systems. If you’re a Guidewire expert, there are endless opportunities here to apply your knowledge, especially as we move towards the SaaS solution and continue evolving with the digital tools we’re implementing. 

Tamalika Mazumder, Senior Tester: The technical complexity comes from our goal of creating smoother, more automated systems. We want to reduce bugs and defects and make processes seamless for both the business and customers. Achieving this level of efficiency, especially with a fully integrated system, is a big challenge, but it’s incredibly rewarding knowing that the work we’re doing is directly impacting the business and enhancing the customer experience. 

How do the roles in the Centre of Excellence impact NFU Mutual’s business? 

Ashley Lowndes, IT Technical Engineering Lead: The Guidewire Centre of Excellence is at the heart of our entire operation. We’re building a fully integrated, end-to-end journey for our customers. The team will be responsible for optimising these systems, ensuring they work seamlessly together, and supporting future developments, such as the transition to Guidewire Cloud. Our work is directly linked to the success of NFU Mutual, and as the team grows, so does the impact we can have. 

Richard Hill, Senior Developer: I’ve had the chance to work on some highly technical projects, like the implementation of BillingCenter and the recent integration with third-party partners for ClaimCenter. These projects are technically demanding, especially when you factor in system integrations and working across multiple platforms. But the impact on the business is clear – by enhancing the Guidewire suite, we’re enabling smoother operations and better services for our general insurance customers. This kind of technical work is at the core of NFU Mutual’s transformation. 

What excites you most about the future of the Guidewire Centre of Excellence? 

Howard Goodman, Head of IT Applications: What excites me most is the broad scope of projects we’re working on. We’re already fully integrated with the core Guidewire products, but we’re also looking ahead to Guidewire Cloud, which will bring exciting new challenges. Our team is not just managing systems but also taking the lead on taking us onto the Cloud and adding new digital layers. The opportunity to work on such a wide range of projects, from legacy systems to cutting-edge technologies, is incredibly rewarding for anyone working here. 

Liz: I’m excited about the launch of our first customer-facing digital product, Customer Engage. It’s a huge project for us, and it represents the shift to a more digital-centric future. This is where the technical roles come in – we’re not just implementing Guidewire; we’re integrating it with a completely new digital product that will directly impact our customers. Being part of a project like this, where the technology meets real-world use, is what makes these roles so impactful. 

Why should a Guidewire expert join NFU Mutual? 

Julia Helm, Head of Guidewire Centre of Excellence: If you’re a Guidewire expert, NFU Mutual offers an exciting opportunity to not just work on one specific product, but across the entire Guidewire suite. Unlike larger insurers where teams are siloed by product, our team works across the full stack. You’ll have the chance to apply your expertise in various areas and grow across the entire Guidewire ecosystem, including the transition to SaaS. It’s a chance to be part of something truly transformative. 

Howard: A key benefit here is that the structure of the team allows you to work on a project from strategy to implementation, meaning there’s no hand-off between different layers of the team. But perhaps the main difference is that our teams don’t work on specific products. The expectation is that you’ll grow your knowledge across the entire Guidewire estate, so your expertise can be utilised in any of the different functions we have, including Guidewire SaaS. This gives you the opportunity to be part of any of the projects in process and ultimately make a real difference in a business that’s committed to innovation and growth. 

An opportunity to make a real difference 

The Guidewire Centre of Excellence at NFU Mutual offers a unique and technically challenging environment for experts looking to drive the company’s future growth. As we transition to Guidewire Cloud and introduce new digital tools, the Centre of Excellence is the place to be if you’re looking for exciting opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects that directly impact our general insurance business and shape the future of our digital transformation. 

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.