In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode Kristin Lindmark, CIO of SPP, the leading insurance company in the Nordics, talks with Hendrik Deckers about the Future Core, a core renewal program whose implementation might be compared to a heart transplant. Kristin talks about the transformation that has been implemented at SPP since 2016:

✅ migrating 90% of the data into the new platform
✅ cost savings of about 5 million euros on yearly basis
✅ New functionalities compliant with the regulator’s requirements

“We seldom say “no” to new things”, says Kristin and explains how the adequate mentality helped to transition from classical waterfall to SAFe. She also mentions new product that SPP enrolled in 2019 – the fully digital Pension Plan, which became the Digital Product of the Year.

Every year CIONET nominates top CxOs as finalists of the European Digital Leader of the Year. Kristin represents Sweden in the Finance category. Join us on the special edition of #CIONEXT on September 15 at 14:30 CET where we will feature all the finalists of the Public sector & Non-profit and Finance categories and announce winners.

Table of contents

00:59 | Introduction and Kristin Lindmark’s background

• Master in Science and Engineering
• Accenture as a great starting point of a career
• 20 years of experience in technology focused on the financial sector
• 7 years at the position of CIO at SPP

02:50 | About SPP

• “Our mission is to deliver tailored occupational pension solutions”
• “Sustainability is part of our DNA”

03:34 | Transformation challenges & solutions

• Fragmented technological platform
• Difficulties with competing at the market
• Solution: core renewal program “The Future Core”
• Catalyst for change for the entire organization
• The whole process can be compared to heart transplantation

06:39 | Current status of the transformation

• 90% migrated to the new platform
• Cost savings of about 5 million euros on yearly basis

07:10 | New platform

• New functionalities compliant with the regulator’s requirements
• Fully digital pension plan – new product rolled out in 2019 that won the award of the Digital Product of the Year

11:13 | Forming part of the insurance ecosystem

13:09 | How is IT organized

• Two main domains: Core & Digital
• Two main roles: developers & business analysts
• Additionally, UX & Services Design
• Agile Center

16:03 | From waterfall to SAFe

• Transition possible thank to the open mind of SPP
• “We seldom say no to new things”

19:36 | How transparency makes teams happy

20:27 | It’s all about data

22:11 |New role of CIO

24:07 | Looking into the future

25:53 | Kristin’s management style

• “We have much more self-confidence in the organization and that positive spiral gives a lot of energy and that also of course, attracts new people and attracts that people want to stay and be part of building the story”

28:28 | The importance of sustainability

• “The most sustainable insurance company in the world”

30:53 | Gender equality and its impact on business

33:11 | Kristin’s leadership style

34:30 | MBTI: the Executive

37:50 | Ways to relax & be happy

• Family & animals
• Seeing results & solving problems is what drives Kristin

40:09 | Kristin’s core values

• Working hard brings results
• It’s important to look for opportunities and grab them

41:19 | Kristin’s mentors

• Julie Sweet

45:05 | Advice for people starting out

• “Grab the opportunities as they come along”
• “Be open to the opportunities and be patient”