Ricard Guasch is CIO, with a career focused on driving technological innovation and digital transformation within the insurance sector. He leads initiatives aimed at enhancing competitiveness, operational efficiency, and the adoption of new technologies, always with a strong emphasis on delivering value to the business and its people and customers. He works closely with multidisciplinary teams and actively contributes to strategic projects that connect technology with customer experience. His integrative vision and ability to identify opportunities make him a key figure in the field of technological modernization and business process transformation.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CIO Magazine, Ricard shared insights into his passion for driving technological innovation in the insurance sector. With a career focused on enhancing competitiveness, operational efficiency, and customer experience, Ricard believes that technology should serve a purpose beyond efficiency or profitability, contributing to more sustainable operations and inclusive digital experiences. He also shared his personal hobbies and interests, future plans, words of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Ricard. What sparked your interest in driving technological innovation in the insurance sector?
My fascination with technology began early; I dreamed of becoming an astronaut, imagining how human ingenuity could break boundaries. As an engineer, I realized that technology’s greatest power lies in improving lives in tangible, meaningful ways. Insurance, at its core, is a promise of protection, trust, and resilience. I saw an opportunity to bring innovation to a sector that fundamentally supports people in their most vulnerable moments.
My entrepreneurial journey, having launched businesses across different industries, shaped how I approach innovation. I bring that same intrapreneurial spirit to my organization: constantly challenging conventions, imagining new possibilities, and using technology as a catalyst for reimagining the future of insurance.
At the same time, I believe innovation must serve a purpose beyond efficiency or profitability. Technology should contribute to more sustainable operations, more inclusive digital experiences, and solutions that create value not only for the company but for society. That broader mission is what keeps me passionate about driving transformation in this industry.
What do you love the most about your current role?
What excites me most is the moment when business and technology merge into a single transformation narrative. When non‑IT colleagues confidently explain the outcomes of a tech‑enabled initiative, understanding the underlying concepts, I know we’re moving beyond implementing systems, we’re shaping a new way of working.
Those moments show that technology has become a strategic language spoken fluently across the company. And when business and IT truly operate as one team, innovation accelerates naturally.
This synergy also allows us to push initiatives that matter on a deeper level, like improving customer experience, reducing our environmental footprint through digitalization, and fostering greater accessibility in the services we design. As technology leaders, we have the responsibility to ensure innovation uplifts all stakeholders, not just internal teams.
In your opinion, how will trends like AI, data analytics, and IoT impact insurance business models?
AI, data analytics, and IoT are not simply influencing the insurance industry, they are redefining it. AI enables hyperautomation and intelligent decision‑making at a scale we could not imagine a few years ago. Data becomes the strategic currency that powers more accurate, meaningful insights. IoT and Edge technologies provide real‑time understanding of risks, allowing insurers to shift from compensation to prediction and prevention.
This evolution ultimately benefits customers, who will experience more personalized protection, faster and fairer processes, and preventive services that help avoid losses altogether.
These technologies also open new possibilities for sustainability. With better data and predictive models, insurers can support safer mobility, reduce environmental risks, and partner with customers to adopt more sustainable behaviors. The convergence of technology and sustainability is one of the most exciting frontiers for the sector.
What are the key skills insurance tech leaders need to develop?
Tomorrow’s tech leaders must be bilingual: fluent in both technology and business strategy. Understanding end‑to‑end processes, customer needs, and strategic priorities is essential for identifying where transformation can unlock exponential value.
Beyond technical expertise, leaders need narrative power; they must be storytellers who can communicate complex ideas simply and inspire others to embrace change. Influence, empathy, and the ability to build diverse, high‑performing teams are becoming just as critical as technical knowledge.
Diversity is not just a social imperative; it is a competitive advantage. The best ideas emerge from teams that bring multiple perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences to the table. As leaders in technology, we must cultivate inclusive environments where everyone feels empowered to contribute.
Can you share a book or resource that inspires you and why?
Rather than recommending a single resource, I prefer a broad and eclectic approach. True innovation rarely comes from a single format or discipline. I combine technology insights with leadership content, fiction with documentaries, podcasts with industry reports.
This cross‑pollination of ideas helps me approach problems from different angles, connect dots in unexpected ways, and remain open‑minded. It also encourages a human‑centric view of technology—reminding me that beyond the algorithms and systems, our work ultimately impacts people, communities, and society. In a way, it brings the diversity we mentioned above to the inspiration process.
What’s a favorite quote or mantra that guides you?
One of my favorite stories is about JFK visiting NASA. He asked a janitor what his role was, and the janitor replied: “I’m helping send a rocket to the moon.” Whether historically accurate or not, the message is powerful: purpose transforms tasks into missions.
In insurance, we are not simply implementing technology or delivering projects. We are enabling people to sleep well at night, knowing that when uncertainty arises, we will be there. That sense of purpose is what guides me and what I try to instill in my teams. It also reinforces the importance of social responsibility in everything we do. Technology becomes far more meaningful when it serves a mission beyond itself.
How do you mentor and support emerging leaders in tech and insurance?
I mentor colleagues frequently, focusing on career development, soft skills, business acumen, and leadership. But I believe the most powerful learning comes from experience, especially from navigating complex challenges.
I create safe environments where people can take ownership of problems, experiment, sometimes fail, and ultimately learn. It’s like teaching a child to walk: you can protect them from falling, or you can let them stumble in controlled conditions that build resilience and confidence.
I also encourage young leaders to embrace inclusive leadership early on. Understanding how to work with diverse teams, how to create psychological safety, and how to collaborate across cultures is now a fundamental skill for success.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
Outside of work, I seek simplicity and authenticity. Happiness for me is spending time with people who uplift me. Watching my children play sports, enjoying a good glass of wine on a terrace with friends, or taking a weekend trip with my wife.
I also value time alone: reading fiction, riding my bike, playing racket sports, or relaxing with a good TV series. These moments help me recharge and maintain balance, which I believe is essential for any leader.
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
My current goal is to reshape how people work by embedding AI seamlessly into daily processes. I want my department to be an example of what an AI‑native, customer‑centric, sustainable, and socially responsible organization can look like.
I don’t make rigid five‑year plans; the world is too dynamic. I set a north star and move toward it, adjusting course as reality evolves. Ultimately, I want to continue leading transformations that enhance human potential and strengthen societal impact.
What advice would you give to professionals looking to make an impact in tech-driven insurance innovation?
First, understand your industry and your company deeply. Innovation without context creates noise, not value. Second, excel in your current responsibilities—excellence opens doors. Finally, stay curious. Look beyond your sector, explore emerging technologies, study trends in sustainability and inclusion, and keep an open mind.
The future belongs to professionals who combine technical expertise with human understanding and social awareness.