The Hartford puts data and AI under technology chief Shekar Pannala
Chief claims officer Stephen Deane will also take on operations when the changes take effect on 2 November.
The Hartford will combine its Data and Artificial Intelligence function with its Technology organisation under chief information officer Shekar Pannala from 2 November, the US carrier said on 14 October.
The reorganisation puts responsibility for technology, data and AI under one executive. It also divides the remit of the current chief data, AI and operations officer, with Operations moving to the claims function.
Chief claims officer Stephen Deane will take responsibility for Operations alongside his existing role. James M. Yanosy, currently chief financial officer for Business Insurance, Employee Benefits, Claims and centralised services, will become chief risk officer.
Yanosy will report to Christopher Swift, chairman and chief executive. Pannala will continue to report to Swift, while Deane will continue to report to president A. Morris "Mo" Tooker.
Tooker said in the company's statement: "By bringing our data and AI capabilities together under the leadership of our chief information officer, we can more effectively embed advanced analytics and emerging technologies into the way we serve customers and support distribution partners."
Pannala has served as chief information officer since March 2025. He joined The Hartford in March 2023 to lead technology across its property and casualty businesses, after working as global chief information officer at Chubb and chief technology officer at S&P Global. He also held senior roles at BNY Mellon.
Prateek Chhabra, the current chief risk officer, and Jeffery Hawkins, the current chief data, AI and operations officer, will leave The Hartford at the end of the year.
The new structure makes the technology chief directly accountable for data and AI, while placing operations with claims. It gives carriers and MGAs considering their own organisational structures a clear example of how one large US property and casualty carrier has divided those responsibilities.
The changes also precede a planned leadership transition. Business Insurance reported that Tooker will succeed Swift as chief executive on 1 March 2027, when Swift will become executive chairman.
Swift said, according to FinTech Global: "We are simplifying execution, sharpening accountability, and increasing our ability to respond to a rapidly changing business environment while building on the strong foundation and performance track-record for which we are known."
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