Championing Innovation and Growth: My Journey at Gallagher

Hi, I'm Shalini, a Software QA professional with over a decade of industry experience. I joined Gallagher in 2023 as a Software Quality Assurance Lead for the Retail-IMS team.

During my time here, I’ve enhanced our test practices in areas such as Test Case Management, Automation, CI/CD integration, grooming QA individuals and domain knowledge transfer preparation. These efforts culminated in my promotion to Test Practice Lead for the UK EMEA region, an exciting milestone that allows me to work closely with talented, collaborative teams while leading initiatives across the region.

Identifying Opportunities for Innovation

From day one, I’ve been keen to spot opportunities to make our processes smarter and more efficient. One of the first gaps I noticed was in how we approached onboarding and domain knowledge transfer. Some of the materials were outdated, and much of the knowledge relied heavily on experienced employees, which weren’t scalable or efficient.

To solve this, I along with the QA team collaborated with domain experts to segment our systems into manageable sections. Each team member researched a section and presented their findings during scheduled demos, encouraging Q&A and collaborative input.

We recorded these sessions and made them accessible via SharePoint and Confluence, enabling future team members to benefit. We also introduced a feedback loop and version control to ensure continuous improvement. This initiative has since become a cornerstone in our onboarding process, making domain knowledge more structured, accessible, and sustainable.

The ideas didn’t just stay on paper they had real impact.

Overcoming Challenges and Championing Ideas

Of course, the innovation process wasn't without its challenges. As a newcomer, I initially lacked solid domain knowledge. However, by leveraging the expertise of long-standing team members and collaborating with the team, we were able to gather comprehensive information and create a mind map encapsulating all the workflows.

Presentation skills were another hurdle. Not everyone in the team felt confident delivering demos. To tackle this, we organized preparatory sessions focused on communication skills and encouraged open, constructive feedback during presentations. Over time, this not only improved individual confidence but also elevated the overall quality of our knowledge-sharing culture.

Keeping demos up to date was another key challenge. With frequent system releases, we implemented a process that allowed us to refresh only the parts that changed, making sure accuracy was prioritized without overwhelming the team.

Creating Lasting Impact

The ideas didn’t just stay on paper they had real impact. Initiatives like KT Demo Prep, Xray-based Test Case Management, Automation Practices, Pipeline Implementation, Test Dashboards, obtaining ISTQB CTFL Certification, and improving Team Visibility have significantly enhanced how we operate.

For example, the shift to Xray standardized test management across teams, and the introduction of automation pipelines streamlined our regression testing with minimal manual intervention. These practices not only improved efficiency but also fostered a stronger culture of collaboration, ownership, and learning.

Why Gallagher?

One of the things I love most about working at Gallagher is the supportive and collaborative culture. The company truly values employee well-being, offering flexible work hours and a better work-life balance.

We're encouraged to share our innovative ideas and knowledge, and the company provides opportunities for these ideas to be executed after thorough analysis. From day one, I felt welcomed and supported, with a smooth onboarding process and a friendly environment. Beyond work, Gallagher offers numerous activities and events that enhance interpersonal skills and team spirit.

Valuable Resources and Personal Growth

Throughout my journey at Gallagher, I've found several resources to be invaluable for my personal and professional growth. Mentorship programs, networking opportunities, knowledge repositories, and access to continuous learning opportunities have played a crucial role in my development.

I've had the chance to acquire new skills, which has changed my approach to my current role and opened up new opportunities. For example, I took the initiative to develop an interactive and practical training plan that transformed the traditional approach into an engaging experience with the Xray Training I conducted to the QA members.

At the core of Gallagher's culture is The Gallagher Way, with its 25 tenets that guide our actions and decisions. The tenet that resonates with me the most is ‘We can all improve and learn from one another’. It reminds me that every interaction is an opportunity to learn, regardless of one's background or position. I've experienced this firsthand, having learned from colleagues who mentored and empowered me to automate complex logic. This experience reinforced the idea that seeking knowledge from others is a strength, not a weakness.

As I reflect on this journey, I’m incredibly grateful—for the opportunities, the people, and the culture. I’m excited to continue growing, championing new ideas, and contributing to a workplace where innovation and learning never stop.