“It’s not personal, it’s strictly business.” This phrase, and numerous variations on it, is not only among the three Godfather films’ many additions to our culture, it also is a guiding principle in the business world. I was reminded (again) of this truism when I learned that another CIO has left their position within a major London Market insurer.

The individual involved who I wont name is a long-time insurance technology executive who has also held senior IT positions outside of our industry. The guy was hired with a mandate to overhaul IT. He embarked on several ambitious initiatives, most prominent of which was implementation of an entirely new policy administration system. Reportedly, it was difficulties and delays in the rollout of the system and inability to meet business demands in a timely fashion that ultimately caused employer and employee to part ways.

After the first reaction of sympathy for any individual who is in that situation, the next thought of anyone involved in the insurance technology business, especially as a CIO or senior-level insurance IT executive, probably is: “Could this happen to me?” The answer to this question varies, depending on one’s point of view and interpretation of what might have gone wrong in this particular case, or any other organization where the CIO is compelled to move on. Whenever there is news of CIO turnover, some observers will always blame vendors that don’t or can’t deliver on promised solutions that the CIO advocated. Others tend to blame the carrier itself for lack of patience, insight, flexibility or any other attribute that might have helped forestall the fallout (rather like the plight of today Premier League football managers). Still others will point at the executive, suggesting that whatever the technology or solution in question there was not enough due diligence, managing of expectations and realism in whatever project the CIO was supporting.

The bottom line is that it never has been easy to be an insurance industry CIO (or a Premier League football manager), and it’s not going to get any easier (improved business management understanding of technology notwithstanding). And as the industry continues to deal with the fallout from the recession and global financial crisis, it’s likely we will see more CIO turnover. But I don’t think that means that IT executives will give up on trying to lead and innovate; it’s the proverbial offer they can’t refuse.