US insurer The Standard opens Bengaluru GCC for tech, AI push
US insurer The Standard has set up a global capability centre (GCC) in Bengaluru to expand capabilities across software engineering , AI and enterprise platforms , as it deepens in-house technology expertise in line with its long-term transformation roadmap. Bengaluru, with its mature tech ecosystem and deep talent pool, has emerged as a natural choice for the company’s first centre outside the US. The Standard has around 200 employees in India, including those onboarded through its $2 billion acquisition of Allstate’s Employer Voluntary Benefits business last year. “When we think about the GCC, it’s about innovation, ownership and outcomes. This isn’t about maintaining systems — it’s about designing processes, building customer-facing technology and driving innovation. We still work with partners for back-office maintenance.
The difference is between ‘design’ and ‘run.’ The GCC focuses on design — higher-end engineering, data platforms and strategic work. "It’s more advanced than traditional outsourcing,” said Dan McMillan, president and CEO of Standard Insurance Company. McMillan said the insurer has worked with third-party partners for over two decades, with those relationships evolving alongside the company. “But the GCC is different — it’s not transactional. We’re building teams that contribute directly to company goals. We don’t think in terms of fixed headcount targets; we’ll scale based on business needs and opportunities,” he added. He said the GCC will play a central role in incubating AI capabilities and expanding work in that space.
“We’ve already started implementing this, particularly in AI and data. These areas are critical, especially given our industry’s reliance on legacy systems. Organising and leveraging data is a top priority for us.”
Mohua Sengupta, SVP and country head of The Standard India, said the approach differs from many GCCs that operate with fixed hiring targets. “That’s not the case here. We’re focused on being core to the business. Success is measured by leadership contribution, strategic impact and our integral role in the organisation. We’re also intentionally building ‘two-in-a-box’ leadership — if there’s an AI leader in the US, there will be one here, working in tandem,” she said.
The Standard has a global workforce of around 10,000-12,000 people, including employees and partners, with about 60% comprising direct employees.
The difference is between ‘design’ and ‘run.’ The GCC focuses on design — higher-end engineering, data platforms and strategic work. "It’s more advanced than traditional outsourcing,” said Dan McMillan, president and CEO of Standard Insurance Company. McMillan said the insurer has worked with third-party partners for over two decades, with those relationships evolving alongside the company. “But the GCC is different — it’s not transactional. We’re building teams that contribute directly to company goals. We don’t think in terms of fixed headcount targets; we’ll scale based on business needs and opportunities,” he added. He said the GCC will play a central role in incubating AI capabilities and expanding work in that space.
“We’ve already started implementing this, particularly in AI and data. These areas are critical, especially given our industry’s reliance on legacy systems. Organising and leveraging data is a top priority for us.”
Mohua Sengupta, SVP and country head of The Standard India, said the approach differs from many GCCs that operate with fixed hiring targets. “That’s not the case here. We’re focused on being core to the business. Success is measured by leadership contribution, strategic impact and our integral role in the organisation. We’re also intentionally building ‘two-in-a-box’ leadership — if there’s an AI leader in the US, there will be one here, working in tandem,” she said.
The Standard has a global workforce of around 10,000-12,000 people, including employees and partners, with about 60% comprising direct employees.
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