Achieving Delivery Success: A Conversation with Alasdair Bird

At INSTANDA, our team is at the heart of everything we do. This week, we’re spotlighting Alasdair Bird, Vice President of Client Delivery (North America). With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Alasdair joined INSTANDA in May 2025, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a passion for innovation. We had the chance to sit down with him to discuss his career, his role at INSTANDA, and what drives his success. 

Alasdair, how would you summarize your career in insurance? 

“It’s been quite a journey! I’ve been in the insurance industry for about 25 years now, and if I had to sum it up, I’d say my career has been all about making things happen. I started out in operational roles supporting the actuarial function at one of the UK’s largest insurance and investment companies. From there, I moved into technology-focused roles, primarily in Quality Assurance (QA), and eventually built a QA function for a global insurer in London. 

“Over time, I transitioned into senior project, program, and portfolio management roles, delivering across every element of the insurance value chain - from marketing and risk acquisition to policy administration, billing, and claims. About 10 years ago, I moved from the UK to Atlanta, Georgia, and have been here ever since. I’ve worked in Property and Casualty insurance, including direct-to-consumer, business-to-business operations, as well as Lloyd’s insurance. I’ve also built technology for MGAs and led teams delivering everything from complex bug fixes to large-scale transformation programs. 

“I also spent a year as an Interim CTO, which added another layer to my experience. All of this has given me a broad perspective on the industry and the cycles it goes through, which is incredibly beneficial in my role at INSTANDA.” 

Why did you decide to join INSTANDA?  

“For me, it was all about the opportunity, and that came down to two key factors: the product (the INSTANDA platform) and the people. 

“The product is truly revolutionary. Having implemented policy administration systems in large transformation programs that often take five years or more, I was amazed by what INSTANDA offers - a configurable solution that doesn’t require extensive developer resources or costly IT support. Insurers can have a product ready in just 10 weeks. That’s not just a promise; it’s a reality for INSTANDA clients, and the platform’s potential is incredible. 

“Equally important were the people. During my interviews, I was struck by the leadership team’s vision and their unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. They have a clear strategy and a strong belief in the value North America brings to the organization. The combination of an innovative product and a dedicated team made joining INSTANDA an easy decision.” 

What does your role entail? What does a typical day look like? 

“One of the great things about my job is that there’s no such thing as a typical day. My role is all about ensuring a smooth transition for new customers - from sales to support. My team’s goal is to get customers live as quickly and easily as possible. 

“I have a team working on multiple clients simultaneously, building their solutions and guiding them through implementation. Outside of that, I’m deeply involved in a transformative program for an enterprise client, Private Client Select (PCS). In the last few months, we’ve helped PCS achieve a rapid and unprecedented launch of multiple products for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. This program has delivered a modern, digital ecosystem that combines many of the world’s leading technologies with INSTANDA’s no-code policy administration system at its core. What this program has achieved is beyond anything I have seen in this industry in the last 25 years. I believe it sets a new standard for speed and innovation, and I’m incredibly proud of the team effort that made it all possible. I’m excited to replicate this success with other clients in the US and continue driving impactful change.” 

Who else do you work with at INSTANDA? 

“Delivery is a massive team game. We’re the bridge between the sales team and the support team, but it takes a village to deliver for our clients. 

“My team works closely with configurators and integration specialists who are directly involved in client implementations. We also collaborate with the product teams to deliver product enhancements and changes that are critical for clients to go live. For enterprise customers, we’re constantly discussing platform functionalities that make it even easier for them to onboard.  

“Additionally, I work directly with Tim Hardcastle, INSTANDA’s CEO and Co-Founder. His guidance and vision play a crucial role in ensuring we align our efforts with the broader goals of the organization. It’s a real team effort, and I’m lucky to work with such talented and dedicated people.” 

How does your background benefit you in your current role? 

“INSTANDA's clients are varied and so is my experience. I think my background gives me a unique perspective. I have held Operational and Technology roles, working with business leaders and as a business leader myself, across many different insurance products and global markets. I feel that gives me a head start in not just understanding a technology implementation, but how that technology works best from an operational point of view for a wide variety of customers. 

“This means I can have informed conversations with both our internal teams and our clients about how to move forward.  

“It's all about understanding our client's vision and delivering strategic value through our technology. That is what gets me up in the morning.” 

What’s your proudest achievement at INSTANDA so far? 

“For me, two things stand out. 

“First, PCS, who I mentioned. It’s been a complex program with many vendors involved, but we’ve worked together with a single goal in mind, and I’m incredibly proud of what we achieved in such a small amount of time.” 

“Second, the team. They’re driven by a passion for excellence - not just in delivering for our clients, but also in continuously refining how we work together.  It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of such a dedicated and forward-thinking group of people.” 

What do you hope to achieve in your role? 

“I feel very lucky that my role plays a critical part in INSTANDA’s vision and strategy. My hope is to help INSTANDA gain wider recognition and adoption in the North American market. It’s truly revolutionary, and the opportunity is enormous. 

“But it’s not just about the product - it’s about the people. As we grow, we’ll need to expand our team, and I want to build a group of passionate, knowledgeable individuals who share our vision.” 

With such a busy role, how do you balance work and life? 

“It’s a demanding role, but I make sure that I find a balance. One tradition we have at home is closing our laptops at 5 PM on Fridays. Whether it’s helping with the Milton High School Marching Band or heading to the pub to decompress, my wife and I make sure we take time for ourselves. It’s so important to create those moments to recharge. 

“I also enjoy cooking. Since moving to the US, I’ve invested in a real BBQ. It’s one that cooks low and slow, perfect for smoked ribs and brisket. I love the technology side of it too, with multiple probes to monitor temperatures. I also paint occasionally, though that’s a rare indulgence these days.”