The Women in Tech Excellence Awards shine a highlight on the changemakers pushing for progress. On twenty third November, we’ll rejoice girls main the cost – from daring young coders to seasoned executives. These trailblazers encourage us all to problem the established order and open doorways for the following technology. By honouring their drive and imaginative and prescient, we transfer nearer to creating tech a place for everybody to thrive.
Jessica Lewis, a principal engineer at Admiral Group, is a finalist for one of many greatest awards of the evening: Woman of the Year – Financial Services, after reaching the 2022 shortlist for Role Model of the Year. She has over 17 years expertise within the monetary companies business, excelling at building up excessive performing engineering groups.
We talked to Jessica about her work at Admiral, previous to the awards.
Computing: Tell us about Admiral – what’s the firm all about?
Jessica Lewis: Admiral is a Wales-based FTSE 100 monetary companies firm. Founded in 1993, it has spent a lot of the final 30 years within the non-public motor insurance coverage sector the place it has grow to be UKs largest motor insurer. Over the years, Admiral has diversified its choices, increasing into home insurance coverage, journey insurance coverage, pet insurance coverage, and a spread of different monetary merchandise, together with loans.
What actually units Admiral aside, and what has saved me right here so lengthy, is the corporate’s tradition and its individuals. It’s no coincidence that Admiral constantly ranks among the many prime employers within the UK, as evidenced by its 23-year streak within the Great Place to Work survey.
During my time at Admiral I’ve had the chance to take part in thrilling and impactful tasks, enhancing my skillset, and advancing my profession.
What one firm achievement within the final 12 months are you most pleased with?
Admiral recognises the significance of engineering excellence and is within the technique of pivoting to grow to be an engineering-centric organisation. As a part of this transition the profession path for individual contributors has been enhanced, giving extra choices for profession development for technical targeted individuals. I’ve been capable of discover the completely different paths provided, advancing my expertise within the course of.
Admiral additionally continuously run hackathons, permitting staff the chance to interrupt away from their ordinary duties and to participate in a problem which will get the creativity flowing whereas offering the prospect to discover new instruments. The hackathons are at all times enjoyable, and nice method to make new connections. Everyone leaves feeling impressed to drive innovation eager to check out their strengthened expertise.
Admiral’s dedication to engineering excellence does not finish there. I’m additionally a part of the crew shaping our SRE features inside our newly created worth stream mannequin. It’s an thrilling time for our engineering neighborhood the place our drive for engineering excellence, reliability and resilience is prime of the agenda.
What are you engaged on this 12 months?
I’m presently spearheading a transformative digital venture. This transformation aligns to Admiral’s diversification objectives, designed to boost the client expertise by offering a unified and seamless buyer expertise throughout all our merchandise and channels. I play a central half on this programme, main the event of a consolidated Digital Experience Platform for our internet and cell app clients. This platform serves as a central hub, guaranteeing clients have an enhanced and streamlined expertise when accessing and managing their merchandise. I’m driving the combination of recent know-how putting a powerful emphasis on the rules of automation, reusability, resilience, and a “shift left” strategy, guaranteeing that points are addressed early within the growth course of.
Additionally, for my private {and professional} growth, I’ve undertaken a publish grad certification in Sustainable Leadership. I’m grateful to Admiral for supporting staff with a ardour for steady studying, permitting me to remain on the forefront of the business and to contribute meaningfully to Admiral’s success.
Why are occasions just like the Women in Tech Excellence essential to the IT business?
I come from a disadvantaged college, the place I discovered myself missing help by way of profession steering. Despite this, I achieved one of many highest A-level grades in IT within the nation, which earned me a Women in Tech award from the nationwide examination board. That award, and the ceremony that accompanied it, opened my eyes to the probabilities throughout the tech business and launched me to different gifted young girls who excelled at IT.
It’s so essential for future generations to get the acknowledgement {that a} rewarding profession in IT may be for them too. Events just like the one I attended on the age of 18 and now, the Women in Tech Excellence Awards assist showcase feminine expertise, champion variety, and create a way of neighborhood and solidarity amongst girls within the IT sector.
The Women in Tech Excellence Awards will take place on twenty third November in London. Click right here to view the shortlist and right here to e book your desk.
