Driving Innovation in Financial Services with Advanced Cloud Solutions

Introduction

Cognizant Worldwide is a recognised leader in digital transformation, serving top financial services organisations globally. Tasked with delivering a complex cloud migration and automation project for a leading UK financial services client, Cognizant’s UK arm held reputational and operational stakes. The partnership with Ntrinsic Global came at a pivotal moment, as the need to scale a high-calibre team of contract Cloud Engineers and Test Automation Specialists on an aggressive schedule presented both opportunity and risk.

The Problem

Despite their global reach, Cognizant’s UK team confronted significant hurdles:

• Specialised Skill Gaps: Rapid migration to AWS and Azure environments demanded UK-based contractors with advanced expertise in cloud orchestration tools such as AWS CloudFormation, Kubernetes, and Terraform, as well as Selenium-based test automation.
• Market Scarcity: UK financial services regulations and industry nuances required not just technical mastery, but prior UK sector experience and an understanding of local compliance and delivery standards.
• Time Pressure: The client’s digital transformation roadmap imposed aggressive milestones, meaning any delay in contractor onboarding would risk project overruns and budget impacts.
• Regulatory Compliance: Stringent UK employment and right-to-work requirements for contractors intensified the challenge of hiring quickly yet compliantly.

Despite having a global presence, Cognizant’s UK team faced key challenges:

• Skill Gaps: Migration to AWS and Azure required contractors skilled in cloud tools like CloudFormation, Kubernetes, Terraform, and Selenium-based automation.
• Market Scarcity: UK financial services demanded technical expertise, sector experience, and compliance knowledge.
• Time Pressure: Tight digital transformation deadlines risked delays.
• Compliance: Strict UK right-to-work rules complicated fast hiring.

The Solution

Ntrinsic Global deployed a disciplined, phased strategy tailored to the urgency and technical depth of the brief:

• Discovery & Planning: Their team commenced with an on-site workshop in London, closely collaborating with Cognizant’s programme leaders and talent acquisition stakeholders. Together, they crystallised critical technical and regulatory requirements, defined timelines, and agreed a two-phase delivery model concentrated on UK-located talent.
• Talent Sourcing & Screening: Leveraging Ntrinsic’s proprietary UK Cloud & QA contractor networks, outreach efforts targeted professionals with the exact skills and industry background required. All candidates underwent rigorous technical phone screens and live remote lab assessments, validating real-world proficiency in Terraform, Docker/Kubernetes, and Selenium automation.

Within just 7 days, Ntrinsic submitted a shortlist of six UK-based Cloud Engineer candidates, followed by six Test Automation specialists within 12 days.

• Interview & Onboarding: Ntrinsic coordinated remote technical panels with Cognizant’s solution architects and QA managers, managing the offer, compliance checks, and contractor paperwork in full alignment with UK employment law.

The outcome was the onboarding of four Cloud Engineers within an average of nine days, and four Test Automation Specialists within 13 days, all UK-based and ready to contribute from day one.

Result

The engagement exceeded expectations and delivered strategic business value:

• 100% SLA Fulfilment: All contract roles were filled within the accelerated timelines. Cloud Engineers averaged just 9 days to onboarding, with Test Automation Specialists within 13 days.
• Faster Project Delivery: Cognizant advanced their first sprint release two weeks ahead of the original programme plan, delivering a key competitive edge.
• Quality and Impact: Automated regression coverage was boosted by 60%, drastically reducing manual testing cycles and associated resource costs.
• Retention and Trust: All eight contractors secured extensions for subsequent programme phases, exemplifying both quality of placement and fit.

Conclusion

The successful partnership between Cognizant Worldwide’s UK division and Ntrinsic Global stands as a blueprint for efficient, high-stakes contractor recruitment in the UK technology sector. By combining market-specialist networks, rigorous technical assessments, and flawless compliance, Ntrinsic enabled Cognizant to deliver transformation faster while elevating quality.

Looking forward, this collaboration sets the stage for accelerated project roll-outs, robust delivery confidence, and a scalable approach to mission-critical tech staffing in highly regulated environments. For IT leaders seeking rapid access to top-tier contract talent, Ntrinsic Global continues to provide proven, data-driven hiring solutions tailored to the UK market’s challenges.

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