RSA names Whitbread exec as CDO of UK and Western Europe

International insurer RSA has appointed Gillian Tomlinson as chief data officer (CDO) for the UK and Western Europe.

Tomlinson will be responsible for the development of a new strategic capability for data that extends beyond management information (MI). She has over 15 years’ data management information and business intelligence experience across a number of sectors including hospitality, finance and investment banking.

Most recently, Tomlinson was CDO at Whitbread, where she was responsible for building and managing a data governance and data management capability for the company as well as ensuring compliance with the Data Protection Act.

She will report to Darren McKenzie, UK chief operating officer.

“I’m delighted to welcome Gillian to my team,” said McKenzie. “This appointment recognises the criticality of data and importance of insight across our businesses. Gillian’s invaluable data knowledge from a number of sectors and strong track record in delivering operational changes, will help us successful compete in the UK and European Market to ensure we have a strong, coordinated data strategy that maximises data as an asset for each of our businesses lines across the company.”

Tomlinson added: “I’m very excited to be taking on this role at such a critical time in the transformation of the UK and Western European business and look forward to driving forward our ambitious operational plans.”