HCLTech has entered into a seven-year agreement with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian) to strengthen their existing partnership, which includes the acquisition of Guardian India, the insurer’s global capability center, bringing nearly 2,000 employees into the fold of the Indian IT services firm.
Under this agreement, HCLTech will establish a dedicated Strategic Business Unit aimed at supporting Guardian’s technology, engineering, and operations. Karunakaran Azhisur, the Country Head of Guardian India, will join HCLTech to lead this unit.
The partnership will emphasize the enhancement of artificial intelligence (AI) applications across Guardian’s technological and operational frameworks, while also backing its various businesses, including group benefits, individual protection, retirement, and wealth management.
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Emphasis on AI and operations
HCLTech plans to utilize its AI Service Transformation Platform, AI Force, to create agentic AI capabilities and bolster Guardian’s product operating model. The company will also focus on data, applications, and engineering transformation, alongside operational adjustments aimed at lowering costs and accelerating product delivery.
The companies intend to collaborate on developing AI-based solutions and intellectual property tailored for the insurance sector.
Commenting on the partnership, Steve Rullo, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Guardian, stated that this collaboration represents “a significant step in enhancing our operating model and expanding AI throughout our enterprise”. He further noted that working with HCLTech would enable the company to enhance consistency and scalability while continuing its investment in capabilities that benefit customers, policyholders, and distribution partners.
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Acquisition of Guardian India
As part of the expanded partnership, HCLTech will take over Guardian India, which delivers technology, operations, and shared services support to the insurer. The employees transitioning to HCLTech will be integrated into the new business unit dedicated to Guardian.
Srinivasan Seshadri, Chief Growth Officer and Global Head of Financial Services at HCLTech, remarked that the expanded partnership underscores the companies’ commitment to “scaling AI and modernizing operations”. He added that acquiring Guardian India’s workforce would empower the companies to co-create products and intellectual property while further enhancing HCLTech’s AI platforms and expertise in insurance.
