With the Beyond Today 2025 virtual conference, Gallagher brought together industry specialists to explore how advances in digital transformation and evolving market dynamics are reshaping the UK business environment and risk management strategies.
As Jake Hernandez, CEO of Gallagher consultancy — AnotherDay, observed, we live through a transformative period in history. “With many countries seeking independent foreign policies and approaches to trade and economics, significant implications exist for the UK as the world adjusts to a changing geopolitical landscape.”
The virtual event featured a wide-ranging panel of specialists, offering essential insights into changing workplace conditions, economic pressures, technological and AI breakthroughs and the ongoing impact of geopolitical events on the economy. Each session also included discussions with thought leaders who explored strategies for promoting resilience and progress in an uncertain environment.
There were also lessons in resilience from outside the business world. In a lively panel discussion hosted by broadcaster Jill Douglas, we learned how some of our sporting heroes identify and navigate risk in their high-stakes environments, where the courage to take an educated risk can mean the difference between winning and losing.
Summary of key themes from the Beyond Today conference
1. Digitisation: Balancing the risk to maximise opportunity
Key insights
- Transformative impact: AI is having a significant transformative impact across various industries, including insurance, through telematics, dashcams and automated claims processing.
- Limited cyber insurance adoption: Despite the growth in reliance on digital infrastructure, there is still limited adoption of cyber insurance, leaving businesses vulnerable to cyber threats.
- AI as a tool, not an employee: AI-powered computing, quantum advancements and biometric authentication are reshaping how businesses operate. AI is a tool that enhances productivity and decision-making, which can augment rather than replace existing roles.
“AI is becoming an integral part of business and society. Businesses that embrace AI, such as autonomous vehicle companies, will dominate in the next few decades. On the flip side, AI is enabling cybercriminals to create hyper-personalised phishing emails by analysing social media activity, making scams more convincing and harder to detect. This is increasing the risk of successful breaches.”
Johnty Mongan, Head of Cyber Risk Management, Gallagher
- Sustainable technology adoption: Sustainability through technology can be achieved by adopting energy-efficient microelectronics, wind energy and tidal energy.
- Future technological advancements: Quantum computing and biometric authentication are anticipated to redefine technological capabilities, promising faster problem-solving capabilities beyond current computational limits. But with opportunity also comes new exposures.
“If you ask me about the biggest risk in technology, I will say it’s not using it. And as we reach the limits of traditional computing, quantum computing will offer the next medium to exchange new information. Combined with sustainable technology, it will play a big role in shaping the future.”
Johnty Mongan, Head of Cyber Risk Management, Gallagher
2. Managing employee welfare with medical insurance
Key insights
- Value of private medical insurance: Employers benefit from private medical insurance despite increasing healthcare costs, as it ensures timely treatment, lowers absenteeism and improves productivity.
- Improving workforce sustainability: Preventative health initiatives such as better nutrition, sleep and physical activity can promote wellness and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
- Investment in mental health: Companies that invest in mental health support can achieve earlier intervention, reducing the severity of conditions and cost of claims.
“Medical insurance plays a vital role in an employer’s value proposition, not just as a benefit but as a tool to support workforce well-being and productivity.”
Andrew Drake, Director, People Experience Client Consulting, Gallagher
3. Labour market and business pressures persist into 2025
Key insights
- Ongoing labour market challenges: The UK’s tight labour market and ageing population are leading to a shrinking workforce, making it harder for businesses to attract and retain skills and talent.
- Financial pressures on businesses: In the near term, inflation is above target, leading to further price increases and financial pressures for businesses, which will dampen profits through 2025.
- The need for technological adoption: To boost productivity, overcome skills gaps and stay competitive, there is a need for increased investment in and adoption of technology, including AI.
“The UK labour market is currently stable, showing no growth but not declining into negative territory.”
Christopher Breen, Head of Economic Insight — Centre for Economics and Business Research
4. Geopolitical shifts and economic strategies
Key insights
- Shift to a multipolar world: The global power structure is transitioning from a post-World War II system to a multipolar order, with countries like India, China, Iran, Turkey and Russia pursuing independent foreign policies.
- US involvement in European security: The US is reducing its involvement in European security, prompting Europe to increase its defence spending and develop its defence industry, particularly in AI-driven warfare and drone production.
- AI and technological growth: AI, drone technology and advanced manufacturing are identified as key areas of growth in the evolving geopolitical and economic landscape.
“The US economy is more open to AI-driven growth, with the new administration’s economic policies emphasising tariffs, AI-driven growth and deregulation. The UK is likely to be exempt from US tariffs due to its trade surplus, while tariffs on European cars and other industries are still under discussion.”
Jake Hernandez, CEO, AnotherDay
5. Foresight for future risks
Key insights
- Structured foresight and intersection analysis: Businesses need to embed structured foresight into their strategies, using tools like intersection analysis to identify where pressures and emerging trends intersect, revealing risks and opportunities.
- Skill shortages and workforce challenges: Challenges of global skill shortage persist, exacerbated by massive underinvestment in training and development and ageing population.
- High-value employees: Companies are focusing on increasing per-employee productivity, making talent retention and succession planning critical.
- Rising healthcare costs: New opportunities open in health and wellness industries, marking a rise in novel medicines and digital health solutions.
- Proactive adaptation and resilience: Businesses need to prioritise future planning and regularly update their strategies to build resilience in an unpredictable world.
“The next 20 years will see major investments in public health, preventive care and wellness — creating vast opportunities in health and fitness sectors.”
Tom Cheesewright, Applied Futurist
6. Managing risks and building a risk-aware culture
Key insights
- Current risk landscape: Business risk profiles are evolving, with top concerns being macroeconomic risks, geopolitical instability and AI implications. International expansion requires careful risk assessment.
- Emerging risks: Addressed through strategic planning and regular risk reviews, emerging risks include AI implications and geopolitical concerns. Open discussions about risks enhance engagement and preparedness.
- Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) planning: Successful ERM involves integrating risk management with strategic planning and budget-setting from the outset.
- ERM tools and techniques: There is no one-size-fits-all approach; organisations should tailor frameworks to their needs, focus on risk identification and ensure leadership engagement. Clear language and effective positioning of the risk function are essential.
- Training and awareness: Implementing training programs to educate teams on risk is crucial. Setting and articulating risk appetite using tools like heat maps and scoring systems is challenging but necessary.
“Enterprise Risk Management succeeds when leadership is engaged, risk is integrated into strategy and a risk-aware culture is fostered.”
Charles Mitchell, Risk Management Lead, Cancer Research UK
7. Adaptation and leadership in growth
Key insights
- Leadership transition for scaling: Succession planning to take over operational responsibilities is crucial for scaling a business. This transition allows leaders to focus on future growth and can significantly accelerate success.
- Continuous evolution over reckless disruption: The focus need to be on continuous business evolution by adapting to market changes, optimising resources and integrating new technologies.
- Hiring local talent for global expansion: When expanding globally, hiring local talent who understand the market and culture is important to fit regional nuances.
“Success comes from evolution, not revolution — adapt wisely, stay sharp and lead purposefully. Sustainable growth, not reckless expansion, is key to long-term success.”
Richard Harpin, Founder of HomeServe and Growth Partner, Owner of Business Leader
Looking ahead
As key pressures like skill shortages, climate risks and cyber threats intersect with emerging trends like AI and automation, structured foresight into strategies is necessary for businesses to anticipate risks and opportunities. The challenges and opportunities discussed at the Beyond Today conference offer valuable insights to help clients build resilience in an unpredictable world.
Emerging risks, such as digital transformation and geopolitical instability, require strategic planning and regular risk reviews. Our speakers reiterated many of the learnings from our Year Ahead series; we remain amid a rich and evolving risk landscape with opportunities available for those who lean into transformation.
“The true value of an organisation lies in its people. And businesses that make foresight a habit are better prepared to navigate uncertainty and seize new opportunities.”
Tom Cheesewright, Applied Futurist
Discover the insightful sessions from the Beyond Today 2025 conference, now available on-demand—start exploring.
