IMS – one of the world’s leading telematics solution providers, serving some of the world’s leading insurance companies with the end-to-end tools and data analytics required to deliver usage-base insurance products.
Andrew Brown Allan is EVP Growth (EMEA & RoW) and has been with the business since 2011.
Innovation in the North West:
"With 27 years of experience driving disruptive technology, how have you seen the North West's tech ecosystem evolve? What makes this region unique for innovative companies like IMS?"
It feels like Manchester has been largely responsible for the UK’s second industrial revolution, not just the first! Innovation is part science, part creativity – and the city has a longstanding reputation as a powerhouse of the creative arts, science and technology. So to me it’s no surprise that the region’s talent has coalesced around the plethora of disruptive tech start-ups and scale-ups across the city. I’ve spent my entire career in the North West, straddling the worlds of advertising/marketing and latterly tech, and for me the emergence of world-class digital businesses in the region is down in no small way to the unrivalled support network and infrastructure that’s been built here. Having first started a business in the city back in 2002, today’s access to space, talent, finance and the support ecosystem overall is completely unrecognisable to what I experienced back then – I wish I could have that time of my career over again! It’s also a privilege to be part of a globally-leading business within our sector that’s anchored in the UK’s North West – and when we tell our overseas customers where we’re based, referenced to Manchester, it really does mean something wherever we travel.
Data and Digital Transformation:
"IMS processes billions of kilometres of driving data monthly. How does being part of the North West's vibrant tech scene support your mission to revolutionise the insurance and mobility sectors? What opportunities do you see for collaboration within the region?"
Our customers are large insurers (like Aviva, Allianz and AMA) and are distributed across London and other major capitols in Europe and the Americas, so it primarily comes down to access to talented data scientists and software engineers within the region. Added to that, though, we take advantage of Manchester’s creative talent by working with agencies and digital specialists like Sputnik, Doodledo and BGN to supplement our internal engineering resources and fuel our marketing efforts globally.
Global Business, Regional Impact:
"As a company with offices in the UK and North America, what advantages has the North West offered for your UK and global operations? How does the region's tech talent pool contribute to your international success?"
Several years back, prior to setting up our North American business unit, we were standing up an innovative new software product (a smartphone app for fleet drivers to prove their safety behind the wheel), and wanted to hot-house it with a separate, dedicated team away from our UK HQ, in Crewe. It didn’t take us long to decide on setting up a satellite office in Manchester city centre. As hoped, within a matter of weeks we’d recruited and onboarded a team of over 10 UI/UX designers, software developers, BAs and more – and the only reason we were able to achieve this so quickly was the depth of available talent in the area. After completing the app project, that team evolved into what we now refer to as IMS Labs, a professional services division of our business that advises our international customers on best practice around product & proposition development; user engagement and wider aspects of CX; digital marketing; content creation and journey optimisation. It’s very much a ‘Made in Manchester’ extension of our core business!
Leadership and Growth:
"You mention being proud to lead your marketing team across the UK and Canada. How has the North West's business environment influenced your leadership approach and company culture? What role does regional collaboration play in fostering innovation?"
We’re very much an international business now with our SLT and wider workforce distributed across the UK, US, Canada and Europe, matching the distribution footprint of our customers. But whilst that’s the case, for me our culture as a business does resonate with the core values that typify Manchester as a place. One of our founders summarises the 5 core IMS brand values quite simply as “We give a sh*t” – and that to my mind encapsulates the down-to-earth, passionate, proud and committed personality that runs through the city. On a personal level, I’ve spent my entire career in and around Manchester, so my own leadership approach inevitably has been shaped by the place and people that have surrounded me and been such a big influence for the last 30 years.
Future of Insurtech:
"How do you see the insurtech sector evolving in the North West over the next 5 years? What potential do you see for deeper collaboration between regional tech companies, and how might this shape the future of mobility?"
There’s no doubt that the insurtech and broader fintech sectors are beginning to thrive and make a mark in the region – along with IMS, you’ve got the likes of homegrown success stories like Peppercorn AI and Ripe Thinking, along with some industry giants that have made the North West their home – hats off to the likes of MIDAS, Manchester Digital, FinTech North and the wider ecosystem for the great job they’ve done there. Looking forward, there’s still huge scope for growth within the insurtech and fintech sectors given that their related industries are still so ripe for disruption - so it’s highly likely we’ll see more and more innovation in this space emanate from the region. And the same goes for businesses that are helping to shape the future of mobility, just as IMS does. We’re always looking for collaborative partnerships, so if your mission is to help make mobility safer, smarter and fairer for all, then please do reach out.
Thank you Andrew!
Find out more about IMS here.
