Role Overview:

Our client is seeking an innovative and forward-thinking Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead its technology strategy, architecture, and execution. This role is ideal for a hands-on technologist with deep expertise in cloud platforms (primarily AWS), Databricks, machine learning, generative AI, and a strong track record of delivering scalable, AI-powered solutions.

The CTO will serve as a visionary and external-facing representative of the company's technology direction, aligning leading-edge innovation with commercial goals in a dynamic and evolving market.

Key Responsibilities:

* Define and deliver the long-term technology strategy and roadmap, with a focus on AI-driven, cloud-native platforms.

* Architect scalable, secure, and high-performance solutions built on AWS and Databricks.

* Drive innovation in machine learning, generative AI, and data engineering, turning complex ideas into production-ready applications.

* Act as an external-facing technology leader, engaging with enterprise clients, partners, and stakeholders to present solutions and thought leadership.

* Lead and inspire cross-functional engineering teams, fostering a culture of technical excellence and agility.

* Champion the adoption of modern API paradigms, microservices, and container-based infrastructure.

* Remain at the forefront of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices across cloud, data, and AI.

* Collaborate with product, commercial, and data teams to align technology capabilities with business needs.

* Represent the organisation in technical forums, strategic partnerships, and industry events.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

* 10+ years' experience in a senior technology leadership role such as CTO, VP of Engineering, or Chief Architect.

* Proven hands-on expertise in AWS cloud services and Databricks, including Spark, Lakehouse architecture, and Delta Lake.

* Demonstrable experience designing and deploying machine learning and generative AI solutions at scale.

* Strong working knowledge of containerisation and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes and Docker.

* Deep understanding of API-first development, microservices architecture, and distributed systems.

* Solid software engineering background with strong coding and system design skills (e.g., Python, Scala, Java).

* Familiarity with Azure and other hyperscale platforms is an advantage.

* In-depth knowledge of data platforms, governance, and real-time analytics.

* Experience within the insurance industry or related data-driven domains is highly desirable.

* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to operate confidently at both board and engineering levels