We’re delighted to catch up with Christian Chatterton, INSTANDA’s EMEA Delivery Director, a few months into his role. Since joining the team, Christian has been making a significant impact, leveraging his extensive experience in technology delivery, client partnerships, and enterprise program management to drive success.
With a career spanning insurance, finance and retail technology, Christian’s expertise in managing high-performing, empowered delivery teams has already proven invaluable. He believes that fostering a culture of collaboration and shared accountability drives delivery excellence. Let’s hear more from Christian as he reflects on his journey so far, and his vision for client delivery at INSTANDA.
Could you tell us about your career before INSTANDA?
I started my career in management consulting with a London-based firm that specialized in IT services, organizational design, and delivery. It was a similar size business to INSTANDA, and I loved the energy and growth that came with working in that type of environment. I spent three or four years there, helping clients design and deliver technology solutions, before the company was acquired by a US firm. I stayed on for a while after the acquisition, but I was keen to try something new.
That’s when I joined a venture-building studio, where I worked on creating new SaaS products for businesses. One of the products we developed was an e-commerce data analytics platform that provided consumer insights to retailers by analyzing data from retailer websites. It was a fascinating experience to build a product from the ground up.
After that, I joined Deloitte's technology services practice, focusing on large-scale programs, particularly on program governance and delivery. This experience broadened my perspective and honed my skills in managing complex initiatives.
I later reconnected with the founder of the first consulting firm I worked for, who had launched a new venture called AND Digital. This role shifted my focus from traditional management consulting to engineering and delivery—building digital platforms and products for clients. Over eight years, I progressed from leading individual deliveries to managing entire business units, driving strategy and execution at scale. It was a fantastic journey, collaborating with enterprise-level insurance, financial services, and retail clients.
What attracted you to INSTANDA?
I was ready for a fresh challenge, and when I learned about INSTANDA, I was immediately intrigued. The company’s cloud-native approach and its growth trajectory really stood out to me. I could see that INSTANDA was at an exciting stage of its journey, and I wanted to be part of it.
What really solidified my decision, though, were the people. I met with INSTANDA’s Co-Founders, Tim Hardcastle and Derek Hill and the Chief Technology Officer, Kevin Gaut, and they all relayed the same compelling story. It was clear that INSTANDA is a place where I could make a meaningful impact while working alongside talented and passionate individuals. The emphasis on a strong, collaborative culture was evident from the start.
What does your role entail, and what do you hope to achieve?
As EMEA Delivery Director, my ultimate goal is to drive outstanding outcomes for INSTANDA’s EMEA client portfolio by maintaining the highest standards in project execution and service delivery.
Real success is achieved when every team member is empowered to contribute their best, and collaboration becomes the driving force behind our results. As such, my focus is on fostering strong partnerships and uniting teams around shared goals.
By working collectively with clients to understand their priorities, manage risks, and identify opportunities, we deliver incredible outcomes. This involves nurturing a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within our delivery frameworks.
How does your background benefit you in your current role?
My career has given me a strong foundation in technology delivery. I’ve spent a lot of time on the vendor side, delivering solutions with clients, which has helped me develop a strong consultative and commercial mindset.
A key strength of mine is bridging the gap between technology delivery and client partnership; a perspective that is crucial for my work at INSTANDA. It’s not just about delivering a product or service—it’s about understanding each client’s goals on a very intricate level and working collaboratively to achieve them.
With such a busy role, how do you balance work and life?
Balancing work and family life is definitely a challenge, especially now. My wife and I recently welcomed our second son, who arrived just as I started this role—so sleepless nights have been plentiful! With a four-year-old as well, life is full-on. When I’m not working or parenting, I make time for exercise. I enjoy cycling, hitting the gym, and walking in the woods. Being outdoors helps me recharge, stay grounded, and maintain the resilience to keep up with a busy life.
Looking Ahead
I’m proud to be part of a team that’s driving innovation and delivering real value to insurers across the world. My focus is on building strong partnerships, fostering high-performing teams, and ensuring that we continue to deliver exceptional results as we scale. This is a pivotal moment for INSTANDA, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
