Krishna Kaza

As Chief Architect within the Chief Data Office, I drive enterprise data strategy, architecture, and innovation—aligning domain autonomy with measurable business outcomes. I lead high-performing, cross-functional teams of 75+ across data engineering, GIS, and architecture, delivering scalable, cloud-first and API-driven solutions. I have accelerated enterprise adoption of AI/ML, data products, and modern platforms through the establishment of Innovation and Data Labs, enabling rapid experimentation and faster time-to-value. I define and execute enterprise data strategies, operating models, and multi-year roadmaps—aligning technology investments with business priorities while optimising cost and reducing risk. My work has enabled real-time analytics and IT/OT convergence, advancing digital twin capabilities and next-generation operational intelligence. I establish clear architectural guardrails, reference architectures, and decision frameworks that enables right platform selection, improves design, reduces rework, and ensures consistent, compliant delivery. By promoting reusable integration patterns (APIs, microservices, data pipelines), I have reduced complexity and enabled scalable interoperability across domains. I have led the selection and adoption of strategic platforms including Data, MDM, CDC, Governance, AI/ML, Knowledge Graphs, and Data Fabric—building future-ready, resilient data ecosystems. Passionate about capability building, I standardised enterprise data skills aligned to SFIA (with BCG), improving workforce scalability and AI readiness. A trusted advisor to CxOs, I bridge strategy and execution—driving faster delivery, lower cost, and sustained business value.

Work closely with business and portfolio leaders to develop IT & Digital strategies, road maps, EA standards & target architectures to fulfill Business vision. Develop target architectures & ensure that services are scalable, resilient, secure and fault tolerant Collaborate with business in development of future state road maps based on technology vendor road maps, targeted user experience, keeping in view on integrating people – process – technology interrelation Collaborate and work closely with internal / external eco-partners on re-defining Business processes, promote new technology adoptions and effective usage of data with proven value realization Support large Enterprises in becoming "Data driven enterprises". Lead all aspects of Data governance (Data cleansing / Data lineage / Master Data management etc...) with BIG Data Guide organization in adoption of cloud (AWS / Google / Microsoft Azure), and adoption of IAAS / PAAS / SAAS to ensure that systems are secure, scalable, resilient and meet future demands, facilitating ML & AI adoption Focus on identifying business problems, optimization of resources, minimizing manual risks, process digitization, measurement of service delivery, and multi-channel service delivery for the clients to ensure omni-channel experience Partner with architects, IT & Business to facilitate the evaluation of Digital agenda. Champion the selection of hardware, cloud service, software technologies, product standards and Business continuity plans Become a trusted advisor for the enterprise defining heat-maps and identifying redundant Business applications & Infrastructure. Guide enterprises on application rationalization and consolidation frameworks to reduce the overall number of systems supported and save costs associated licensing, maintenance and support Lead enterprise solutions governance, ensuring adherence to standards, guidelines, policies, principles, patterns, compliance, Archimate views.

Continuous employment Jul 2001 to Dec 2013. Churchill Insurance became part of RBS Group, and later divested as DLG (Directline Group) Work closely with Business and portfolio leaders to develop IT & Digital strategies, Tactical plans, Technology road maps, EA standards and target architectures that meets Business mission and objectives Manage and represent architecture governance functions and lead the solution governance forums. Develop necessary catalogs, metrics and architecture diagrams, views, viewpoints and patterns to facilitate smooth decision making and simplify & standardize the technology adoption Measure architecture benefits, and present KPI’s for architecture service improvements Identifying redundant capabilities, through appropriate frameworks, and maximize return of investments investment in IT systems Conduct gap analysis and define roadmaps to redefine existing models and support new models of service delivery Embrace “Digital by design” and “Security by design” principles while designing the solutions to ensure that enterprise reduces manual risks and does not suffer an reputational damage Strive for Business excellence though addressing the Business needs. Break Business problems into sizable chunks and provide IT guidance and support to ensure business objectives are met through adoption of appropriate solutions that improves enterprise reputation and gives an edge over competitors Define all aspects of Data governance and ensure commissioning of single version of truth within the enterprise. Demonstrate cost saving through decommissioning of redundant silos. Ensure adherence to data compliance.

Continuous employment Jul 2001 to Dec 2013. Churchill Insurance became part of RBS Group, and later divested as DLG (Directline Group) Define Enterprise data solutions based that satisfies various enterprise and regulatory needs. Collaborate with Sr.management teams to understand structural requirements and define standards for how data will be stored, consumed, integrated, and managed across the enterprise. Develop, maintain, and evangelize data architecture principles, policies and standards. Work with business analysts, Data stewards, Data Czars, source system support teams, and other partners to prioritize & drive the enterprise data deliverables. Support and drive formation of BICC (Business Intelligence Competancy Center ) Plan & design - data modelling, data governance, data acquisition, data facilitation. advance analytics and BI reporting, through working closely with business leaders Create a culture of data driven decision making, data measurement, data transparency within the organization Transform requirements into architecture & blueprint for the solution being created. Consider factors such as design patterns, reference architectures and architecture guidance such as principles, standards, policies Provide technical leadership and guidance to the development teams and external vendors, during the SDLC. Get multiple external vendors to work together towards achieving a common purpose

Continuous employment from July 2001 to Dec 2013. Churchill became part of RBS Group and later divested as DLG (Directline group) Work closely Senior Business and IT stakeholders to understand their business requirements, challenges, and reporting needs to ensure effective use of data Design data platforms with integration of data from multiple domains Build OLAP reports and advance analytics utilities so that Business have a clear understanding of the portfolio's Define specialized reports for Actuarial functions which has a well defined representation of all key insurance measures such as Loss ratio's & Claims frequencies Explain the strengths of embracing advance analytics in large sessions for various Business domains. Get buy in from senior stakeholders for implementing a single customer view Develop and maintain strong effective working relationships with key senior stakeholders so that the Data warehouse team is able to continuously service the requests, and progressively move towards enterprise wide common reporting standards with one version of truth

Assist organization in ensuring appropriate decision making is made through right set of tools. Design data warehouses and get rid of duplicate silos. Manage data ETL activities, Data governance rules, and get rid of duplicate silos. Commission single version of truth. Infuse trust in data and avoid organizational risk through multiple reconciliations and unnecessary consolidations Use latest technologies to build client server architecture with appropriate front ends. Optimize re-utilization of Business rules through adoption of object-oriented programming Facilitate adoption of new technologies that will change the way Business collaborates with IT, improving efficiencies and coordination. Train & mentor Business and IT on new ways of thinking about service delivery

Technology innovations are relentlessly changing giving birth to New Business Models. There is an immediate need for the Organizations to learn, experiment and develop innovative products, services and new ways of working. A combination of iterative, experimental methodologies is needed to support digital innovation efforts. This new concept is called DESIGN THINKING Start small and grow. Create a cross-functional team and innovate. Expand the approach over time as the experience is gained. DESIGN THINKING + LEAN + AGILE = New age product innovation

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