Sandeep Pandey: FWD's Tech Leader Transforming Asian Insurance
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Published Time: 2025-09-09T12:40:36Z
Interview
September 09, 2025
Sandeep Pandey
Group Chief Technology and Operations Officer
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FWD Group's technology chief brings a rare combination of technical expertise, consumer focus and financial acumen to transform insurance across Asia
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Sandeep Pandey's journey to becoming Group Chief Technology and Operations Officer at FWD Insurance reflects a career built on diverse experiences and continuous learning.
Unlike many of his contemporaries with computer science backgrounds who headed straight into IT roles, Sandeep chose a different path.
“I was the odd one in my entire university who chose to start outside of IT,” Sandeep explains. “I never regretted it because I learned early that technology exists to provide solutions for customers.”
This consumer-oriented approach was cemented since his early career, where he gained significant international exposure.
“We focused on consumer experience rather than just customer experience,” Sandeep notes. “This approach comes naturally to me when designing technology solutions that truly serve customers.”
Building a multifaceted skillset
What distinguishes Sandeep’s leadership approach is his unique combination of skills developed across different sectors.
“My managerial skills come from my FMCG experience, and my financial discipline from the insurance sector,” he reflects. “Every business case had to be financially robust and market-specific.”
This foundation proved invaluable when he joined an India insurance company during a period of explosive growth. The company aimed to increase its agency force from 10,000 to 100,000 and grow revenue tenfold within five years – a true “10X strategy” that demanded innovative solutions.
“Business as usual was not going to work anymore,” Sandeep recalls. “We were opening more than one office every day. We launched 199 offices in just 90 days.”
The scale of this expansion presented immense technological challenges, particularly in a country with infrastructure limitations.
“Having to issue policies even with satellite-based connectivity, not today’s high speed, gave me huge challenges in designing and architecting solutions correctly.”
FWD Office Lounge
Leadership through crisis
Sandeep’s leadership philosophy was forged during challenging times, particularly the global financial crisis. After being transferred to Malaysia to build a regional data centre for an insurance company, its collapse created an existential crisis.
“Within the first few months, the company’s stock dropped to just $1,” he says. “When things get tough, you have two options. You either run away or you become tougher. I chose to demonstrate that leadership means staying when challenges arise.”
This crisis transformed the project into a shared services initiative focused on cost control. Managing the human impact of relocating jobs from Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia to Malaysia taught Sandeep crucial lessons about leadership.
“You must be clear, courageous and human in your leadership,” he says. “These three principles guide all my decisions.”
Sandeep joined FWD in 2020, attracted by its entrepreneurial spirit.
His leadership at FWD continues to reflect his core values: “Quality, gratitude, attitude and aptitude – these four principles drive everything I do.”
Throughout his diverse career, Sandeep’s ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on expertise has remained constant.
“I’m equally comfortable rolling up my sleeves or taking a high-level view. That’s a unique strength I bring to the table.”
To read the full article in the magazine, click HERE.
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