Helen Thornborough
@helenthornborough
I lead global quality engineering, AI, and automation transformations that improve software delivery and product quality.
United KingdomWhat I'm looking for
At iPipeline, I lead Quality Engineering, AI adoption, automation strategy, and delivery transformation across a global InsurTech product organisation. I reduced escaped defects by 25% and increased delivery velocity and engineering productivity by 20%.
Previously, I centralised QA at Kantar WorldPanel across the EU, UK, and APAC, introduced Azure DevOps quality dashboards, and established more than 1,500 automated Selenium scripts for a complex re-platforming programme. At Visionable, I built a global quality engineering function and increased automated test coverage to 90% while supporting healthcare software delivery across NHS trusts.
Across Direct Line Group, Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and insurance and financial-services organisations, I've led Agile transformation, test strategy, release delivery, vendor partnerships, and global teams. I enjoy building accountable, high-performing teams that make quality a shared engineering responsibility.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
Quality Assurance Director
iPipeline
Nov 2025 - Present (10 months)
Lead Quality Engineering, AI adoption, automation strategy, and delivery transformation across iPipeline's product organisation, driving quality, efficiency, and organisational change within a global InsurTech environment. Reduced escaped defects by 25% and increased delivery velocity and engineering productivity by 20%.
Head of Quality Assurance
Kantar WorldPanel
Jan 2023 - Sep 2025 (2 years 8 months)
Centralised the QA function across multiple disciplines and business units, streamlining processes and creating automation efficiencies across EU, UK and APAC. Delivered high quality software with zero P1/P2 defects and established Agile delivery practices.
Head of Quality Assurance
Visionable UK Ltd
Aug 2020 - Jan 2023 (2 years 5 months)
Built and scaled a global Quality Engineering function across the UK, Ukraine and India. Delivered audio and video software across multiple NHS trusts and increased automated test coverage to 90%.
Apollo Programme Test Manager
Royal Bank of Canada
Sep 2019 - May 2020 (8 months)
Managed testing for the Apollo Programme, ensuring quality and delivery within the banking environment.
Head of Agile Transformation Programme and Head of Testing and Release
Directline Group
Dec 2012 - Sep 2019 (6 years 9 months)
Delivered successful Technology Services owned Retail and back office applications with no Priority 1 or 2 incidents in production. Transitioned Claims Business to iterative Agile ways of working and delivered the Automation Roadmap.
Testing Services Transformation Delivery Manager
Directline Group
Jun 2012 - Dec 2012 (6 months)
Managed transformation delivery for testing services, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
Senior Change Programme Manager
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Sep 2010 - Jun 2012 (1 year 9 months)
Responsible for successful delivery of a new Watch list Filtering Solution across US, APAC and EMEA.
Lead Solvency II Programme Delivery Manager
Amlin PLC
Nov 2009 - Sep 2010 (10 months)
Led delivery of the Solvency II programme, ensuring compliance and successful implementation.
Programme/Project and Release Manager
RBS Insurance
Apr 2005 - Nov 2009 (4 years 7 months)
Managed programmes, projects, and releases, ensuring timely delivery and quality.
System Test Lead
Esure Insurance
Apr 2005 - Apr 2006 (1 year)
Led system testing activities, ensuring quality of software releases.
Non-Functional Test Lead
Thomson Financial
Jun 2004 - Apr 2005 (10 months)
Led non-functional testing, focusing on performance and reliability.
UAT and Systems Test Lead
Churchill Insurance Company
Nov 1999 - Jun 2004 (4 years 7 months)
Led UAT and systems testing, ensuring software met business requirements.
Corporate Banking Assistant
Barclays PLC
Jul 1997 - Nov 1999 (2 years 4 months)
Provided support in corporate banking operations.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
Scaled Agile Framework
SAFe Practitioner, Agile
Certified as a SAFe Practitioner, demonstrating knowledge of the Scaled Agile Framework.
Scrum Alliance
Certified Scrum Master, Agile
Certified Scrum Master, demonstrating proficiency in Scrum methodology.
Scrum Alliance
Certified Product Owner, Agile
Certified Product Owner, demonstrating expertise in product ownership within Scrum.
AXELOS
PRINCE2 Certified, Project Management
Certified in PRINCE2, a project management methodology.
ISTQB
ISTQB Advanced Test Management, Software Testing
Certified in ISTQB Advanced Test Management, demonstrating advanced software testing knowledge.
AXELOS
ITIL Foundation, IT Service Management
Certified in ITIL Foundation in Service Management, demonstrating knowledge of IT service management.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
United KingdomAuthorized to work in
Salary expectations
Social media
Job categories
Skills
Interested in hiring Helen?
You can contact Helen and 90k+ other talented remote workers on Himalayas.
Message HelenGet matched with your dream remote job
Sign up now and join over 250,000+ remote workers who receive personalized job alerts, curated job matches, and more for free!
