Risk in Context Podcast

Securing the right site is one of the most important decisions in a data center project. But securing the right location takes more than finding available land — it requires a clear view of power availability, labor access, natural catastrophe exposure, and more. In this episode of Risk in Context , Marsh's Michael Mathews, Dereck Wischmeier, Laksh Maggoo, and Manglam Tewari discuss the questions...

Higher interest rates, slower exits, and increased competition are reshaping private equity and putting pressure on returns. As deal dynamics shift, many funds are rethinking how they create and protect value across the investment lifecycle, issues that are expected to be discussed during next week's SuperReturn conference. In this episode of Risk in Context, Marsh's Paul Knowles, John Romeo, and...

As supply chains across industries face mounting pressure from geopolitical conflict, shifting trade policy, extreme weather, surging costs, and more, organizations are confronting systemic vulnerabilities that can extend lead times, disrupt operations, and even delay delivery of lifesaving medicine. In this episode of  Risk in Context , Marsh's James Crask, Lisa Caldwell, Joao Buzio, and Eddie Al...

As healthcare costs continue to surge , private equity (PE) firms managing diverse portfolios have the opportunity to mitigate the impact by adopting portfolio-wide health and benefits strategies that enable them to harness the scale of their portfolio to rein in escalating expenses and enhance employee retention and recruitment across their investments. In this episode of Risk in Context , Marsh'...

In an era of unprecedented complexity, organizations are facing a multitude of risks, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, extreme weather, and accelerating technological change, requiring senior leaders to rethink traditional risk frameworks and adopt holistic, forward-looking approaches that prioritize resilience and strategic risk capital allocation. In this episode of Ris...

The safety and effectiveness of the aviation industry depend heavily on its people, underscoring the importance of stakeholders taking action to help safeguard their mental health and well-being. This pivots greatly on identifying potential challenges early and creating a culture that empowers individuals to voice concerns, admit errors, and seek support without fear of judgment or career repercus...

Demand for small modular reactors (SMRs) continues to grow as these sources of nuclear energy are increasingly being considered as a means to advance energy security, helping to   meet decarbonization and net-zero goals, and catering to growing power demands from data centers, remote communities, and major industries. In this episode of Risk in Context, Marsh's Amy Barnes, Jim Palaia, Everett Hans...

An accelerating geopolitical transition is rewriting the rules of cross‑border trade, finance, and digital connectivity — and the evolving conflict in the Middle East is intensifying risks for businesses worldwide. In this episode of Risk in Context , Marsh's Angela Duca, Christopher Coppock, and Stuart James unpack key findings from the Political Risk Report 2026* , outline practical steps to man...

Directors and officers are navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain risk environment shaped by shifting litigation trends, evolving regulatory priorities, and emerging economic and geopolitical pressures. At the same time, both directors and officers liability (D&O) underwriters and corporate leaders remain alert to the potential for new claims amidst a shifting risk landscape. In this epi...

Global manufacturers are navigating a complex and rapidly evolving trade environment marked by shifting policies, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions. Fluctuating trade policies and geopolitical dynamics are testing the flexibility and resilience of many businesses. Ongoing changes to bilateral and multilateral agreements, including the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement that is being rene...

Tax insurance is fast becoming a critical tool for organizations around the globe to manage their tax uncertainties in a wide range of business situations. From supporting renewable energy projects to managing cross-border risks, tax insurance helps organizations protect value and move transactions forward with greater assurance. In this episode of Risk in Context, Patrick Browne, Mark McTigue, Al...

In today's complex, interconnected, and dynamic risk landscape, organizations are facing a multitude of challenges. Geopolitical tensions, climate-related extreme weather events and chronic threats, and evolving cyber threats are complicating supply chain risks, requiring organizations to develop holistic, forward-looking, enterprise-wide risk mitigation strategies that build resilient organizatio...

Climate risks continue to increase in complexity, underscoring the urgent need to address their impacts through a strong focus on adaptation and resilience. At the same time, innovative insurance products and financing are helping climate and resilience investments become more accessible and viable. Last month's COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, underscored the importance of acc...

Social inflation is transcending borders and creating challenges for organizations operating in jurisdictions across the globe, often resulting in increased litigation risks and higher claims costs, which are, in turn, contributing to increased underwriter scrutiny and impacting organizations' insurance programs. This underscores the importance of preemptive action to identify potentially challeng...

As private equity activity regains momentum after a prolonged period of low exit volumes and extended holding periods, it is critical for PE firms to remain vigilant and focus on identifying and addressing potential risks. Human capital considerations, tailored insurance solutions, and innovative transactional risk insurance can help PE firms navigate challenges to help safeguard value and optimiz...

Parametric insurance has become a critical tool for managing risks, generally providing organizations with a transparent, data-driven risk financing solution. Its defined triggers generally lead to faster and more predictable payouts compared to traditional indemnity insurance. In this episode of Risk in Context, Marsh's Steve Harry and Hannah Bassett explore how parametric insurance is evolving....

The global focus on climate resilience is evolving to emphasize adaptation alongside mitigation, a key theme highlighted at this year's Climate Week NYC. This is fueling increased demand for comprehensive risk management strategies that integrate advanced analytics and innovative insurance solutions to address escalating climate risks.  In this episode of Risk in Context , Marsh's Amy Barnes and J...

Organizations in real estate and hospitality are facing an increasingly complex risk landscape, from rising catastrophic exposures to operational and cybersecurity challenges. These sectors, while both asset-heavy, encounter distinct risks that require tailored and agile risk management strategies. In this episode of Risk in Context , Marsh's Duncan Ellis and Brian Taliaferro explore the evolving...

Organizations continue to face an increasingly complex cyber threat landscape. Amid ongoing geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions and supply chain disruptions, a robust and comprehensive cyber risk management strategy can help businesses mitigate risks and improve resiliency. In this episode of Risk in Context , Marsh McLennan's Dan Bowden speaks with Marsh's Helen Nuttall and Matt Berninger about...

Organizations across various industries are increasingly seeking to harness generative AI's capabilities to enhance productivity and operational efficiency. But while generative AI technologies can provide organizations with multiple opportunities, there are also risks unless integration is carried out with caution. In this episode of Risk in Context , Marsh's Gregory Eskins and Mercer's Adriana O...

Extreme heat, characterized by sustained periods of unusually high temperatures, poses significant health, economic, and social challenges globally, impacting  people, infrastructure, and businesses worldwide. To effectively mitigate the risks associated with extreme heat, organizations must be proactive in how they prepare for, adapt to, and manage current and future heat-related challenges. In t...

As they become more interconnected, global supply chains can be impacted by a wide range of risks. Whether it's geopolitical and geoeconomic conflicts, including the introduction of tariffs and counter-tariffs, natural catastrophes, or climate change, this web of risks can cause disruptions that lead to delays, shortages, and increased costs. The complexity and fragility of supply chains is often...

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — often referred to as "forever chemicals" due to their resistance to degradation — have come under increased scrutiny due to concerns about their environmental and human health impacts. This underscores the importance of robust risk management strategies and securing appropriate insurance coverage to address the evolving regulatory environment....

Supporting the increased global demand for energy in a sustainable way requires investment, innovation, and robust talent strategies that meet the growing need for skilled professionals across both traditional and renewable energy sectors. In this episode of Risk in Context, Marsh's Amy Barnes, Andrew Lowther, and Tariq Khattab and Mercer's Milan Taylor discuss the people-related challenges that t...

As they adapt to shifting investor expectations and a changing deal flow, many private capital firms are returning to fundamentals, focusing on risk management and value creation. They are also prioritizing enhanced exit planning and geographical diversification, with Europe becoming a focal point for many PE firms. This is happening at a time when consolidation among various stakeholders is resha...