Former Microsoft Executive Hartnett Named ACORD Innovation Chief

The insurance industry’s standards organization, ACORD, announced that Bill Hartnett, former financial services and insurance head at Microsoft, has been named its head of innovation, charged with bringing new ways of thinking and doing business to the organization and the industry at-large.

Hartnett spent nearly 20 years as Microsoft’s top executive in financial services. He expanded Microsoft’s presence in the insurance vertical. Under Hartnett’s leadership, Microsoft’s financial services organization grew from a startup to a global business.

ACORD said that as it develops standards and related services for the insurance industry, Hartnett will play a central role in finding new methods of implementation and opportunities for collaboration. He will focus on expanding areas for new development and identifying fresh ideas.

“This is a critical time not only for ACORD, but for the insurance industry,” said Greg Maciag, CEO for ACORD. “It is not enough to keep a finger on the pulse of change today, action must also be taken. Consumer and business expectations are driving the change in technology as well as our business models, products and distribution channels. There is no one better qualified to fill this role for ACORD than Bill Hartnett.”

Hartnett is the creator of the ACORD Insurance Innovation Challenge (AIIC), an insurance-specific innovation competition. Taking place at the ACORD2015 event this November in Boca Raton, it will highlight pitches by 12 finalists in two categories, ACORD Innovators and Insurance Disruptors.