McLarens recruits global head of data and analytics

Insurance services provider McLarens has appointed Jennifer Barclay to a newly created leadership role as global head of data and analytics strategy.

Based in London and reporting to Adam Weiner, senior vice president of technology strategy and operations, Barclay will oversee a team of data professionals, taking the lead on the development and implementation of McLarens’s strategy around data capture, processing and delivery, and championing a data-driven decision culture across the global business.

Barclay joins McLarens with 13 years of experience within the insurance sector, having worked with both national and international businesses including Crawford & Company, NFU Mutual and, most recently, as global head of data management at Beazley.

A passionate management information and analytics leader, with notable expertise in leading complex analytical and regulatory projects, Barclay has a wealth of experience across operations, building and embedding IT and business solutions, and delivering digital transformation programmes.

At McLarens Barclay’s role will encompass everything from data governance and quality through to analysis and visualisation, with responsibilities including the development of the company’s predictive analytics modelling capabilities.

Working with McLarens One, the company’s end-to-end global claims platform, Barclay’s team will drive innovation and facilitate the delivery of global data sets and dashboarding, utilising data mining, predictive modelling, and machine learning, to provide proactive insights and support insurer and broker clients in modelling around indemnity spend, emerging risk, and claims handling.

Graham Smart, chief commercial officer at McLarens, said: “Better data drives better decisions and outcomes for all stakeholders, and this vital role demonstrates our commitment both to client delivery and to our wider digital strategy, in which we are making significant investment.”

“The way that we collect and distribute information to clients is rapidly evolving, improving the speed and quality of our client response, and allowing for better loss estimates, reducing indemnity spend and facilitating a quicker resolution of claims.”

“Jennifer is a true leader in her field and is highly experienced in cutting edge technologies, as well as all aspects of regulatory compliance. Her experience of working with brokers and insurers in this regard will be hugely beneficial.”

Barclay commented: “Tech and innovation are clearly key pillars of McLarens’ growth strategy and I’m delighted to take on this important role in supporting the business to becoming a truly data-driven organisation.”

Mark Dugdale