Future of business

In today’s technologically advanced and globalised world, industries are being disrupted, enhanced and reinvented – at an exponential pace.

The velocity of change – and its breadth and sheer impact – is being felt in almost all countries, sectors and markets. Its impact extends to entire systems of production, supply chains, distribution, and in areas of management and governance. Crises such as coronavirus and climate change are further drivers of disruption, with implications for traditional business models and global trade.

In The Future of Business series, we look at the scale of change in the industries that are driving real innovation and shaping the future of business, and consider the impact from a risk and insurance perspective.

Future of business

In today’s technologically advanced and globalised world, industries are being disrupted, enhanced and reinvented – at an exponential pace.

The velocity of change – and its breadth and sheer impact – is being felt in almost all countries, sectors and markets. Its impact extends to entire systems of production, supply chains, distribution, and in areas of management and governance. Crises such as coronavirus and climate change are further drivers of disruption, with implications for traditional business models and global trade.

In The Future of Business series, we look at the scale of change in the industries that are driving real innovation and shaping the future of business, and consider the impact from a risk and insurance perspective.

Future of Sustainability

Future of Supply Chains

Future of renewable energy

  • Story 1

    Renewables: A transforming landscape

    New technologies are revamping the renewable energy industry, enabling businesses to scale up production and achieve economies of scale. But new options, and even the better-established energies, still have some maturing to do

  • Story 2

    Running for cover: Insuring renewable projects

    As tech innovation continues in the renewable energy space and projects scale ever bigger, conventional insurance options are unable to keep up and insurers are now wondering – what’s next?

  • Story 3

    Delay in start-up: Renewables need more

    When embarking on a large renewable energy project, delay in start-up insurance is crucial – and obligatory. But can standard DSU offerings give renewable start-ups what they require, or are more tailored options needed?

  • Story 4

    Cloud cover: Finding alternatives

    As the renewable energy sector is seeing its risk profile change dramatically, there is increased demand for ways to cover against arguably its greatest foe – unpredictable weather

  • Story 5

    Expert view: The colour of our future

    Renewable energy is booming as green goals are set, and insurers must get creative to offer bespoke coverage for this unique market. But could you commit to going 100% renewable? Swiss Re Corporate Solutions is doing just that.

Future of International Programmes

Future of Commercial Insurance

Future of construction

  • Story_1_BIM

    A new dawn for the construction industry

    As the world’s population continue to grow, demand for enhanced and new infrastructure has never been greater. This poses many challenges and intensifies the risks of project delays and cost overruns. But the tech revolution is bringing fresh new opportunities, albeit slowly

  • Story_2_3D_Printing

    Printing grand designs

    Highly cost-effective, energy-efficient, fast – 3D printing could be the future of homebuilding. But is the technology too new for insurers?

  • Story_5_Cyber

    Cyber protection? Still under construction

    Contractors and construction sites are becoming more digitised – leaving them exposed to cyber risks. But why would a hacker target a construction contractor?

  • Story_5_Green_construction_revised

    Can construction truly go green?

    After a sustained push to improve the energy efficiency of homes and offices, the focus has now shifted to the construction companies that build them – and they are not performing well

  • Story_5_partnership

    Expert view: A trusted partnership pays claims quicker

    Construction claims can be highly intricate and, on occasion, contentious. In such situations, being able to build trust between key stakeholders within the claims process is vital if you are to achieve successful outcomes, says Jonathan Sargent, head of wholesale property & casualty claims, EMEA, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions

Future of manufacturing

  • Story 1

    Engineering the fourth industrial revolution

    2019-10-21T10:18:00+01:00

    The digital transformation to mechanised production is increasingly taking humans out of the equation. But effective risk prevention demands in-person site visits and in-depth dialogue

  • Story 3

    The changing face of product recall

    2019-10-21T10:15:00+01:00

    As both products and supply chains become more complex, is it surprising that recalls between manufacturers and their suppliers are more common?

  • Story 2

    Do digital supply chains really bring 100% transparency?

    2019-10-21T10:09:00+01:00

    Digital supply chains may promise much sought-after transparency, but they could bring more unknowns as they raise questions about data security and compliance

  • Story 4

    Pushing the boundaries of traditional cover

    2019-10-21T10:06:00+01:00

    In the bid to mitigate the intangible manufacturing supply chain risks, Konrad Meisterhans and Thomas Keist explain how innovative approaches such as  parametric solutions can complement traditional products

Future of food and drink

  • Story 1

    Digitising your dinner

    2019-07-23T08:09:00+01:00

    With growing awareness of what can go wrong with their food before it reaches their plate, consumers are demanding more. Tracking technology and sensors could provide the answer

  • Story 2

    Future of food

    2019-07-23T08:07:00+01:00

    Demand for fresh, fast, diverse food options is boosting innovation, but also unseen risks throughout the supply chain. In response comes a new age of insurance

  • Story 3

    Can science solve starvation?

    2019-07-23T08:05:00+01:00

    The colossal imbalance between global hunger and food waste must be addressed. But opinions vary on the controversial measures that could feed the world

  • Story 4

    Intangible risks that break the chain

    2019-07-23T08:01:00+01:00

    The way we get food across the globe is growing more complex, bringing unseen vulnerabilities to the supply chain, writes Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ food and agriculture expert Oleksandr Artiushyn

Future of transportation

  • railway tracks

    Case study: how Network Rail reduced safety-critical errors and near-miss incidents

    2023-12-05T11:25:00+00:00

    Working with EY, Network Rail created an ambitious digital transformation strategy that has improved railway safety and created sustainable, long-term benefits.

  • Rail

    Fast track to rail innovation

    2019-06-24T08:30:00+01:00

    Advancements in train travel are notoriously slow. So it is unexpected that railways could be the root of the first significant innovation in mass passenger transit in more than a century

  • Marine

    Automating the high seas

    2019-06-24T08:25:00+01:00

    The world’s first fully automated vessel is expected to set off on its first unmanned voyage by 2022 and that promises to be a good thing for the environment. But the innovation comes from an unlikely corner of the marine industry

  • Uber

    Taxis: prosperity and pain

    2019-06-24T08:20:00+01:00

    Ride-sharing apps like Uber have been both good and bad for taxi drivers. But the introduction of autonomous vehicles is likely to signal a bleak future for all professional drivers – and challenges for insurers

  • Airplane

    One-way ticket to a green future

    2019-06-24T08:09:00+01:00

    Climate change concerns are fuelling a change in direction as air travel industry explores environmentally friendlier alternatives. The risks of such innovation are high, but the greatest risk of all is standing still

Future of automative

  • Volvo autonomous

    How risk managers can tackle the evolving automotive risks in their organisations

    2023-05-18T16:20:00+01:00

    Kiran Boosam, global insurance industry leader, Capgemini, explores how mobility risk is changing and the tactics that risk managers can deploy to manage emerging threats

  • Story 1

    Mobility ecosystems: Driving change

    2019-11-19T10:13:00+00:00

    Self-driving cars are speeding from the future into our present. But what effect will such tech have on the way we view transport, and crucially liability on the road? Insurers cannot afford to hit cruise control and wait to find out

  • Story 2

    Electric cars: Powering change

    2019-11-19T10:11:00+00:00

    The market for petroleum alternatives like electric and hydrogen is accelerating but this developing tech brings new risks to the road. Risks that offer new opportunities to insurers

  • Story 3

    Production lines: Supplying change

    2019-11-19T10:09:00+00:00

    The sheer numbers and complexity in car manufacturing supply chains make them exceptionally vulnerable. It takes a proactive approach to prevent production lines grinding to a halt

  • Story 4

    Insuring auto: It takes a partnership

    2019-11-19T10:06:00+00:00

    When it comes to complexity of the supply chain, the car industry is in a league of its own. While Insurers can still do more to mitigate weak spots, the industry faces a rising protection gap, says Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ Philip Brandl