Former NBN Co chief information officer Claire Rawlins has been appointed Group Chief Information Officer at IAG.

She initially joined the insurer as chief technology officer in June.

Ms Rawlins has almost 30 years’ experience as a technology executive, including as group technology MD for British Telecom, COO IT at US telecommunications company Qwest and global head of management services at BNP Paribas.

She spent the past three years leading digital transformation projects at Woolworths, as interim chief technology officer, and Air New Zealand.

Peter Harmer, CEO of IAG Labs – the insurer’s new “digital hub for innovation” – says Ms Rawlins has an “impeccable track record” and will play a major role in “building an integrated digital ecosystem” at the group.

Ms Rawlins will lead all IAG’s technology and project management teams, now united within IAG Labs. 

“Given the important role of technology in [insurance]… the new group chief information officer role will be pivotal in helping us to accelerate our strategic priorities and ensuring our integrated approach to digital is embedded throughout the broader organisation,” Mr Harmer said.

Ms Rawlins, who will report to Mr Harmer, says her role is to “help shape and drive the IAG [digital] strategy and to build our digital DNA”.

“We will create the best digital insurance company globally and embrace and exploit the exponential growth in digital technology to support a radical shift in our products and services,” she said.