An analysis of the most pressing concerns based on insights from 1,000 UK business leaders.
31 October 2024
Insights
In this engaging Q&A session, Matthew shares his knowledge on Gallagher's Benefits Technology offering, called Gallagher Guide Benefits. Explore Matthew's work with our clients and gain a deeper understanding of his motivations and passions.
1. Matthew, you’ve been with Gallagher for eight years, what do you love about the Benefits Technology sector?
Technology has become an integral part of our lives, and what excites me is the opportunity to use our technology investment to transform how people feel about work. It's a unique use case that sets us apart from many other technology sectors. We have the power to make a real difference in people's lives.
The Benefits Technology sector is constantly evolving, and we must keep up with the changes to ensure that the product we offer remains relevant and effective for our clients and their employees. This requires us to be innovative and adaptable, always staying one step ahead.
But what makes our work meaningful, is knowing that the product we are working on and developing is used by tens of thousands of people every month. It enables them to save more, build a better future, and take care of their families. It's an incredible feeling to know that our efforts are directly impacting so many individuals positively.
2. Technology is great but not without its challenges, have you worked on any standout client projects?
In the early days of Gallagher Guide Benefits, we faced new implementation challenges every single day. It was an exhilarating yet exhausting experience because, as with any new technology rollout, unexpected obstacles inevitably arise. We had to work tirelessly, often keeping the lights on overnight, to build, test and launch our product for our clients. But all the hard work paid off when we saw the number of users steadily rise, as we invested in our implementation teams and refined our processes.
One aspect of my role that I absolutely love is using technology to solve problems for our clients. Some of our most fulfilling projects have been with long-term clients who have placed their trust in Gallagher and our solution. By driving our own roadmap, we can directly address the challenges these clients have faced for years.
One particular nerdy interest of mine is finding ways to reduce our clients' administrative burdens, allowing them to focus on what truly matters - their vision and strategy for their business.
3. Rumour has it you’re “award winning”, can you tell us more about that?
This summer was an incredible milestone for us, as we achieved a clean sweep with our clients at the Employee Benefits Awards. It was a remarkable experience to witness the culmination of relationships that had been nurtured over the years, resulting in well-deserved recognition for our clients in categories such as Best Use of Benefits Technology, Best Flexible Benefits Plan and Best Pensions Strategy.
What made this achievement even more special for me, was the fact that I had the privilege of working closely on the first two clients and their award-winning projects. It all began with a simple idea scribbled on a scrap of paper, followed by meaningful conversations and a shared belief that we could empower individuals to face their futures with confidence through the power of exceptional technology.
Being a part of these projects and witnessing firsthand the impact we have had on people's lives has been truly rewarding. To see our clients receive well-deserved recognition for their dedication and commitment is a major personal milestone for me. It reaffirms the belief that our work is making a tangible difference and reinforces our commitment to delivering excellence.
4. We’re deep into the 4th Industrial Revolution, and the pace of change is incredible, how are you setting the pace for technological advancements?
Right now, we have a couple of fascinating projects underway with our early adopter clients. These projects are harnessing the power of AI to enhance personalisation, creating a one-on-one experience for our users. Simultaneously, we have other projects in the background aimed at improving the speed of launching Gallagher Guide for new clients and enhancing reporting outcomes through better data and insights.
What really excites me is the potential of the data we gather. I believe it will shape the future of decision-making for our clients. The insights we gain from this data will provide invaluable guidance and enable us to continually improve our offerings.
But here's the best part - we are just scratching the surface. We have so much more to explore and discover. The fact that our technology is our own gives us a significant advantage. We have full control over our roadmap and deliverables, aligning them with our strategy and vision. Equally important is the input we receive from our clients. Their feedback and collaboration play a crucial role in shaping our direction.
With our technology, our vision, and the valuable insights from our clients, we are poised to make even greater strides in the future. The possibilities are endless, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead.
5. Balancing innovation with delivery is difficult, how have you fostered a culture of innovation?
We believe in thinking inside out, encouraging everyone to explore new ideas and projects. In every meeting, we put ourselves in the shoes of our customers, deeply understanding the challenges they face. Our purpose is clear - to find innovative solutions that our technology can provide.
What sets our Client Technology team apart is our openness to new ideas and our willingness to experiment with different approaches. We embrace a culture of continuous improvement, constantly reviewing and learning from every project, both internally and externally. This allows us to refine our processes and drive future innovations.
But it doesn't stop there. We foster an inclusive culture within our team, promoting collaboration not only among our various sub-teams but also with our brilliant employee benefits consulting teams within Gallagher. We believe that by working together, we can leverage our collective expertise and deliver even greater value to our clients.
Our commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and collaboration fuels our drive to push boundaries and create meaningful solutions. We are constantly evolving, always seeking new ways to enhance our technology and make a positive impact on the lives of our customers.
6. In 5 words, what makes your technology different?
Scalable. Intuitive. Integrated. Versatile. Efficient.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Gallagher Guide Benefits can help support business decisions, request a demo today! Our friendly team will provide a complimentary session, showing you how Gallagher Guide Benefits can transform employee engagement.
