Spotlight on Neel Mehta, Driving Data Innovation at Carpenters Group
02 July 2025
How data science is shaping smarter, faster decision making across insurance and legal services.
In an industry built on precision, risk and decision making, data is no longer just a support function. It has become a strategic asset. Across the insurance sector, data analytics is transforming how organisations assess risk, detect fraud, price policies and ultimately serve their customers. From first notification of loss through to claims resolution and financial reconciliation, every step generates vast amounts of information. Making sense of that data enables firms to operate more efficiently, identify trends and make faster, smarter decisions.
At Carpenters Group, this data driven mindset is becoming an integral part of how the business evolves. With a focus on structured processes, integrity of information and smarter automation, data science is unlocking new opportunities for improvement across both legal and insurance services.
We spoke with Neel Mehta, new data scientist at Carpenters Group, about how data is driving change, where it is making the biggest impact and how he is helping to build the foundations for a more data intelligent future.
When did you join Carpenters Group and how are you finding the role so far?
I joined just after Easter. It has been a really positive start. There is a lot to learn and a lot to do, which keeps things exciting. It is a complex business, so I have been spending time getting to grips with how things work, understanding the teams and processes and identifying opportunities where data can make a real difference.
What attracted you to Carpenters Group and this particular role?
The role itself stood out to me as it offers real variety and the chance to work across different functions. Even though I sit within the finance team, I collaborate with departments right across the business, whether that is operations, first notification of loss (FNOL) or legal support. I have always enjoyed working in areas where data can be used to drive change, and there are so many opportunities here to bring structure, clarity and insight into the way things are done.
How has your background shaped your approach to data science?
I have been working in data for nearly eight years now. I was a senior data analyst for over six years and spent time managing data analysis projects. That experience taught me the importance of combining domain knowledge with technical skills. I eventually decided to take the next step and study for a master’s in data science because I wanted to deepen my understanding of techniques like regression modelling, machine learning and predictive analytics and not just work with the outputs but build the models myself.
How do you see data science making an impact in insurance and legal services?
There are so many ways data science can add value. In insurance, it can enhance risk assessment by identifying trends in claims or behaviours that might not be obvious without large scale analysis. It is also vital in fraud detection. You can use supervised learning models to train systems to recognise potential fraud based on historical patterns. This helps speed up the claims process and protects the business.
Another important area is pricing and billing. For example, if we settle a case but there is an error in the billing cycle, we risk losing income. By creating systems to track and flag those instances, we can ensure no money is missed. It is the same logic I applied in previous roles to identify unused services and save costs, just in a different context.
"We can process legitimate claims fast and stop fraud before it happens."
What have you been focusing on since joining the business?
Initially, I have focused on understanding the processes and systems in place. Carpenters Group handles a huge amount of data, and there are a lot of fields and terms that vary between teams. It has been important for me to spend time with people across the business, from FNOL to operations, and learn why things are done the way they are.
Can you give an example of how data science can improve the customer experience?
One example is in fraud detection. By training models on past claims, we can identify suspicious claims quickly and accurately. This means we can process legitimate claims faster and stop fraud before it happens. This benefits customers through quicker resolution and helps the business by reducing losses.
How do you plan to drive innovation within Carpenters Group?
I am focusing on improving data integrity first because automation depends on good quality data. I am working with IT teams to understand how our systems work and then designing solutions that will automate repetitive tasks and improve reporting speed and accuracy.
What are your long-term goals for this role?
I want to build more robust processes and provide analysis that helps stakeholders make better decisions. For instance, by analysing claim settlement times we can identify cases that take longer than average and investigate why. This will enable us to improve efficiency and reduce delays. Ultimately, I want to embed a data driven culture where insight is used at every level to improve the business.
What do you enjoy most about working in data science?
Every day is different. Data changes, problems change, and new challenges arise. It is never boring. Plus, data science applies across many industries so there is always an opportunity to learn new things and develop new skills. Technology is evolving fast, so you have to keep up, but that makes it exciting.
Bringing data science expertise into the heart of Carpenters Group is helping the business embrace innovation and improve outcomes for clients and colleagues alike. With strong foundations in data integrity and process understanding, the future promises greater efficiency, smarter decision making and continued growth. As data continues to transform the insurance and legal industries, Carpenters Group is well placed to harness its full potential.
