RSA Group, the UK insurer formerly known as Royal Sun Alliance, has appointed its first ever global CIO.

Darren Price, previously CIO for the company's Baltic region, has been given the job.

Price will be responsible for the company's IT systems around the world, delivering the group IT strategy, and implementing standards, policies and guidelines across its various geographies.

"We've created the role to give us an opportunity to further enhance our global capabilities and collaboration between our regions, as we're located in 32 countries around the world," a spokesperson for the company told Information Age.

"Given we currently derive around 65% of our business from overseas (and are looking to increase this to 70%), this central position is paramount."

Price will report to RSA Group's CFO Richard Houghton. “Darren’s appointment comes after an extensive internal and external search where we met a number of strong candidates," Houghton said in a statement.

"He is clearly the right person for the job, having developed strong relationships across the business which will be critical to this important new position – he’s the obvious candidate for the role.

"I‘m thrilled at the opportunity to lead the global IT function," said Price. "For us to truly differentiate our products and services to customers around the world, it is essential that we equip our people with the right technology solutions.

"So building capability, capacity and creating a long-term plan for our IT infrastructure will better lend to the delivery of profitable growth and firmly maintain RSA as a leading global insurer."

Another iconic British company, Barclays Bank, also appointed its first ever group technology executive earlier this. Shaygan Kheradpir, previously COO for the retail and business banking division, was promoted to the new role of chief operations and technology officer, after the bank identified "technological innovation and automation" as key priorities in a strategic review.