What is your role at WTW?

As a technology leader at WTW, I am responsible for driving innovative technology initiatives in India and bringing a seamless digital journey across the organization. My focus is to build, manage, and guide various teams focused on software engineering, application development, program delivery, testing, data, and analytics. I partner with technology leaders and product owners in India and other geographies on projects from inception to completion, to ensure success and deliver great outcomes.

Tell us about your personal journey as a woman in the technology industry.

I started my journey just like any other aspiring techie – one among many who were fascinated by its magic. As I moved ahead, I realized that many women were giving up on their careers too soon because they did not have enough support from their peers. Over the years, I have been presented with many equal opportunities. However, in the early days of my career, achieving certain goals as a woman seemed difficult due to a lack of inclusivity in the workplace. Since noticing this, I have always raised my voice and stood strong for what I believe in; to ensure a feeling of security and a sense of belonging for all. My past experiences are what make me so proud of the welcoming and inclusive culture at WTW. Unlike my previous employers, these values are embedded in everything we do. I believe that without supportive environments, organizations risk the loss of potential leaders.

How has WTW made you feel empowered throughout your career?

WTW has been like a cup of freshly brewed coffee. In the last two years, I have been empowered to make the right choices for myself and my team, leading to better service delivery. The trust my team has offered and the support I have received from my peers and leaders have helped bring out the best in me. The culture of collaboration, equal opportunities, and inclusivity has made me comfortable to request help when needed and ask questions. I consider myself fortunate to work for an organization that has such a great culture, and this has helped me broaden my thought process.

Describe the culture within the tech team at WTW.

Our team is driven by the One WTW principle – “When you get one of us, you get all of us”. We strive to break down barriers, advocate idea sharing and best practices, and motivate ourselves and each other to build capabilities for better business outcomes. WTW’s culture, reinforced by its values and principles, enables us to be as diverse yet as unified as possible. We advocate for a positive and supportive work environment that brings out the best in us and fosters an innovative and digital outlook.

Having close to twenty years of experience in the industry, what advice would you give to aspiring tech joiners?

Technology is like magic! It’s in everything that we do. So those who aspire to be in this industry will experience this magic firsthand. I urge all technology aspirants to have faith in themselves, take risks, fail fast, learn, and recover. You will always have a choice to go with the flow or try and make a positive difference. Your choices will help to build a world that will be relevant for us and future generations.

Tell us about your current role at WTW.

I have recently taken on the newly-created role of Global Program Manager for Inclusive Recruitment at WTW. The purpose of the role is to fully imbed our existing Inclusive Recruitment strategy and to come up with new initiatives and ideas to attract and hire more diverse talent.

Tell us about the WTW journey to develop a role dedicated to inclusivity and diversity and the purpose of the role.

WTW has always had a very strong focus on the importance of I&D within the business and has identified that, in order to continue delivering our commitments in this space, a role has been created within our recruitment function which is dedicated to I&D. For me, it shows just how serious WTW are about I&D and ensuring that all colleagues are supported and are able to bring their full selves to work every day.

Do you think companies are starting to evolve in their thinking?

Absolutely. Having worked in the insurance industry for the last 20 years, I have seen changes being made, although we still have a long way to go. What was once and environment which was severely lacking in diversity has become much more inclusive and this can only be a positive thing. I for one don’t want to work somewhere where everyone is the same and has similar ideas and outlooks. By having more diverse colleagues, we are fostering a much more exciting, creative, and productive business.

What challenges do you face in this recruitment space of inclusion and diversity and how can we overcome them?

As I’ve already said, as an industry, we have come a long way, however there is so much more we can do to create inclusive working environments. Education and training are huge factors here and the more we are able to talk openly and honestly about the challenges which we still face, the easier they will be to overcome. I also think that businesses can do a lot to work together and create a more inclusive industry as a whole.

Can you share why WTW is participating in the returner program?

WTW recognises the wealth of talent there is amongst returners and the huge benefit they can bring to the business. Returners can bring extremely valuable skill sets and different perspectives to a team and contribute massively to their success.

What did you do during your career break?

I took a career break of around 9 months in 2019 in order to reassess what I wanted to do and where I wanted my career to go. I felt as though I has sat in the ‘comfy seat’ for too long and needed a new challenge. During my break I had a much-needed rest and also spent time focussing on myself and my priorities – Pilates and running also played a very big part in this! It also enabled me to have a bit of breathing space and spend some really valuable time with friends and family.

How did you return to work and into which role?

When I started thinking about returning to work, I knew it had to be at the right time for me. Finding the right role was also crucial – I didn’t want to undo all of the good work I had done! One of my priorities was to work more locally and not to have such a long commute as I had previously. I also wanted to work in an environment where I would be supported and could develop my career. The role I returned to was as an Underwriter (something I had done for many years) but in a different area to my previous role. This enabled me to use my skills but also do something which wasn’t identical to what I had done before.  

Do you have any advice for others looking to return to work?

Don’t be concerned about what other people think about having taken a career break. I was very nervous about how others would perceive me taking time out, however it was only ever viewed positively. Whatever the reason for the break it should never be an issue and if you come across an employer who thinks it is, they aren’t the right fit for you! Returning to work is never easy, however I found it to be an extremely positive experience and has enabled me to take my career in a completely different direction and find a role which I love!