Sustainability in Tech Awards: Q&A with Kelly Boyd, Data Ingestion Leader, Aviva

With an impressive tenure of 26 years at Aviva, Kelly has amassed extensive experience across multiple functions and roles within the company. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of the technology and processes that have evolved over time, often without considering environmental or sustainability impacts. Her comprehensive knowledge and adaptability have made her an asset to the organisation, navigating the complexities of legacy systems while advocating for more sustainable practices in the future.

Why do you think awards like the Sustainability in Tech Awards matter? What would winning this award mean to your company?

Awards like the Sustainability in Tech Awards are crucial as they shine a spotlight on the innovative efforts and commitments of companies striving to make a positive impact on the environment. These awards not only recognise the hard work and dedication of teams working towards sustainable solutions but also inspire others in the industry to adopt greener practices.

Winning this award would be a significant milestone for our company. It would validate our ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability into our core operations and product development. Moreover, it would enhance our reputation as a leader in sustainable technology, attracting like-minded partners and customers who value environmental responsibility. Ultimately, this recognition would motivate us to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sustainable tech, driving us to achieve even greater advancements in the future.

What would you say is your company’s proudest achievement over the past year?

Our proudest achievement over the past year has been the significant strides we've made through our Ops Net Zero programme. This initiative is a cornerstone of Aviva's commitment to achieving Net Zero operations and supply chain by 2030, encompassing all aspects of our business across the UK, Ireland, Canada, and beyond.

One of the key areas we've focused on is reducing the carbon emissions of our IT estate. By ensuring our hardware is energy efficient, collaborating with third parties and suppliers to right-size services, and reducing the energy consumed by IT, we've made substantial progress. Not only does this contribute to a sustainable IT environment, but it also provides financial savings and ensures more green electricity is available for others, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Our long-standing partnership with TCS has been instrumental in this journey. Together, we've implemented a series of sustainability initiatives that have transformed our operations. For instance, our AWS Storage Optimisation efforts, including auditing and removing unused data, implementing lifecycle policies, and moving data to cost-effective storage tiers, resulted in significant cost reductions. Similarly, our Compute Optimisation initiatives, such as managed scaling for EMR clusters and transitioning to more energy-efficient EC2 instances, have led to substantial energy savings.

In 2024 alone, these efforts have resulted in cost savings of £294,000, CO2 savings of 21,957.578 kg, and energy savings equivalent to powering 37 one-bedroom flats for a year. These achievements underscore our dedication to sustainability and position us as a leader in responsible and efficient tech management.

We are incredibly proud of these accomplishments and look forward to continuing our journey towards a more sustainable future.

What have been the biggest challenges of 2025 so far, and how have you overcome them? How have your people helped with that?

One of the biggest challenges we've faced this year is reassuring stakeholders that our commitment to sustainability doesn't compromise the quality of our services. It's essential to demonstrate that adopting a "work smarter, not harder" mindset can drive both sustainability and efficiency.

To address this, we've focused on showcasing tangible examples where sustainable practices have led to improved service delivery. For instance, by optimising our IT infrastructure and reducing energy consumption, we've not only cut costs but also enhanced system performance and reliability. These improvements have been crucial in building stakeholder confidence.

Our people have been instrumental in this effort. Their innovative approaches and dedication to integrating sustainability into everyday operations have shown that it's possible to achieve our environmental goals without sacrificing service quality. By continuously communicating these successes and maintaining transparency, we've been able to foster trust and demonstrate that sustainability and excellent service can go hand in hand.

How do you think the channel has changed over the past year and what changes do you think it still needs to make?

Over the past year, the sustainability channel has seen significant advancements and shifts. One of the most notable changes has been the increased integration of sustainability into core business strategies. Companies are no longer viewing sustainability as a separate initiative but as an essential component of their overall operations. This shift has been driven by growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible products and services, as well as increased regulatory pressures.

Another key change has been the rise of technology-driven solutions to sustainability challenges. Innovations in areas such as renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable supply chains have gained momentum, helping businesses reduce their environmental footprint more effectively1. Additionally, there has been a greater emphasis on transparency and accountability, with more companies adopting rigorous sustainability reporting standards and frameworks.

However, there are still several areas that need improvement. One major challenge is the need for more comprehensive and standardised metrics to measure sustainability performance. While progress has been made, inconsistencies in reporting and measurement can make it difficult to compare and assess the true impact of sustainability initiatives.

Another area for improvement is the integration of sustainability into all levels of the supply chain. While many companies have made strides in greening their operations, there is still a need for greater collaboration and alignment with suppliers and partners to ensure sustainability goals are met across the entire value chain.

Lastly, fostering a culture of sustainability within organisations remains crucial. This involves not only educating and engaging employees but also ensuring that sustainability is embedded in decision-making processes at all levels2. By addressing these challenges, the sustainability channel can continue to evolve and drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future.

What do you see as the main opportunities for the channel in the coming year? How do you plan to capitalize on those opportunities?

The coming year presents several exciting opportunities for the sustainability channel:

  1. Advancements in Green Technology: Innovations in renewable energy, energy storage, and sustainable materials are accelerating. By investing in and adopting these technologies, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint while enhancing operational efficiency
  2. Advancements in Green Technology: Innovations in renewable energy, energy storage, and sustainable materials are accelerating. By investing in and adopting these technologies, we can significantly reduce our environmental footprint while enhancing operational efficiency
  3. Consumer Demand for Sustainability: There is a growing consumer preference for environmentally responsible products and services. By aligning our offerings with these preferences, we can attract and retain customers who prioritise sustainability
  4. Collaboration and Partnerships: Forming strategic partnerships with other organisations committed to sustainability can amplify our impact. Collaborative efforts can lead to shared resources, knowledge, and innovations that benefit all parties involved

To capitalise on these opportunities, we plan to:

By focusing on these areas, we can seize the opportunities ahead and continue to lead in sustainability