We hear from Jenna Hylton, Group Finance Operations Director at The Clear Group. The company has recently selected, software provider, AutoRek to drive efficiency across its business by automating some key operational processes. This latest investment in technology and data is a key part of Clear’s growth strategy and aims to enhance the client journey.
How does the selection of AutoRek align with Clear Group’s overall growth strategy, and what specific benefits does the company anticipate from this digital transformation initiative?
Our exciting growth strategy requires like-minded providers to support our journey. AutoRek is a leading established provider of automated-driven technology with a positive reputation within the financial services sector. The benefits we anticipate are operational efficiencies within both the Broking ledger control and finance operations team allowing us to free up resources effectively to focus on innovation and improving client experience, all contributing to our overall growth and competitiveness within the market. The impact of this technology affects the client journey end to end.
Could you elaborate on the key operational processes that Clear Group aims to automate with AutoRek’s assistance, and how do you envision this automation improving efficiency and client experience?
We are working with AutoRek on the insurer reconciliation process (matching of insurer statements to our broking ledgers.) Our current process is very manual, and time is lost performing the reconciling instead of investigating differences- commission differences, and premium differences for example. AutoRek automates the reconciliation, minimising human intervention and enhancing overall data accuracy in the reconciliation process. This automation contributes to an improved client experience by ensuring timely and accurate financial information. We can identify and investigate any anomalies quickly and easily resulting in a smoother end-to-end experience for our clients and the insurer.
As the Group Finance Operations Director, how do you anticipate the integration of AutoRek impacting financial controls, reducing revenue write-offs and protecting margins within Clear Group?
AutoRek will allow us to enhance our financial controls by providing real-time visibility into transactions and detecting discrepancies promptly for us to investigate and resolve. This proactive approach allows us to minimise write-offs and protect margins by reducing financial losses. We will also be able to communicate to the business on commission rates that may not be in line with our insurer agreements. This will result in ensuring the correct rates are being applied across the Group on the relevant products.
Can you share insights into Clear Group’s broader commitment to investing in technology and data, and how the AutoRek solution fits into the company’s vision for building a more technologically advanced and future-focused organisation?
We believe that the combination of high-quality human-led advice, coupled with the operational efficiency power, encapsulates our vision and is at the heart of what we stand for. One example of this is the change in our broking platform supporting our clients and people. This change has led to centralised data management, reporting and standardised processes across the Group. Another example of this is the investment in AutoRek, strengthening our commitment to technology and our vision of building a technologically advanced and future-focused organisation.
Given the increasing emphasis on digital transformation within the financial services sector, how does Clear Group’s partnership with AutoRek position the company within the competitive landscape, and what broader impacts might such collaborations have on industry standards and practices?
Our commitment to ‘doing it right’, comes from the heart of our company culture, ensuring we have robust and standardised policies/processes. With ever-changing and tightening regulations, we think initiatives like AutoRek, are becoming must-haves and not a nice to have. We are convinced others will start to follow. This technology really enforces us as a market leader and encourages others in the market to reflect on their own practices to make necessary changes. Such collaborations will strengthen our industry standards and allow businesses to continue to put their clients’ needs first.
How does Clear Group see its digital transformation, including the AutoRek partnership, shaping its future, and what broader industry changes are anticipated with increasing reliance on technology in insurance operations and client interactions?
Clear is taking a dual-pronged strategy approach. One is to build partnerships with proven established leading providers, such as AutoRek. This will help us navigate through the shifting landscapes of the industry. The other is leveraging the fast-moving AI and machine learning technology to further enhance our client operations. We are currently running a number of experiments to understand and harness this technology within our business.