GREAT-WEST LIFECO

For Great-West Lifeco Inc . ( Lifeco ) and its Canadian-based companies , which have been providing insurance , benefit and financial solutions to Canadians for more than a century , the challenge centres upon maintaining a promise the company has made since it was founded .

“ As a company , we ’ ve long offered a promise to our customers – to improve their well-being , to keep their personal information safe , and to be there when they need us most ,” says Philip Armstrong , Executive Vice-President and Global Chief Information Officer ( CIO ). “ Our digital transformation is all about building upon this promise . We ’ re strengthening how we protect customer data and investing in new digital solutions that will provide convenient service for our customers anytime , anywhere .” As Global CIO , Armstrong ’ s role is crucial in the delivery of this transformation . Lifeco has carefully selected technology partners like Cisco , SAP , IBM , Microsoft , FireEye , Zscaler and IPSoft to completely transform its entire technology ecosystem . Armstrong feels strongly that the role of the Global CIO has also significantly evolved alongside this journey .

“ Traditionally , I think that companies first created a business strategy and then looked at how technology could underpin and support that strategy ,” he says . “ Today , with technology moving so fast , technology is a key driver in determining business strategy . The CIO is now expected to actively partner in the business transformation process , from design to execution .”

Lifeco is a global provider of financial services , comprised of a number of companies that operate predominantly in Canada , Europe , and the US . Armstrong is tasked with overseeing a number of regional CIOs together with motivated technologists located around the globe .

“ We have approximately 3,400 technologists within our core technology teams ,” he says , “ and

156 March 2018