Acknowledging Our Complex Reality

Last year, our inaugural Client Trends Report identified four profound transitions, or “megatrends,” impacting every aspect of business decision making: Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce. We observed at the time that these megatrends have led to a new battle for relevance in helping businesses take urgent action to address their risk and people issues. This is one of the primary reasons Aon is going further, faster to serve client need.

We also recognize that the interconnected nature of these trends means clients need advisors who are able to look at the connection points and provide integrated insights, capabilities and expertise in response. Aon’s Client Trends 2025 dives deeper into how these four megatrends intersect, considers the unique interactions between them and explores what decision makers can do to more effectively respond to these challenges and capture opportunities amidst uncertainty.

The integration of AI within human resources is reshaping job functions and skill requirements across industries. For example, organizations are increasingly utilizing AI to optimize processes like talent acquisition and employee engagement. This shift not only enhances efficiency but also necessitates a focus on upskilling employees to effectively work alongside AI technologies. As companies work to capitalize upon this transformation, they must ensure their workforce is equipped with the necessary technical skills while maintaining critical human oversight to drive innovation and ethical decision making.

The effects of climate volatility on global trade were starkly illustrated by the severe flooding in Spain and its consequences for the automotive sector in 2024. The flooding disrupted production and logistics, highlighting the interconnectedness of supply chains and the financial risks posed by extreme weather events. As businesses contend with such challenges, they must integrate climate risk assessments into their strategic planning and develop diversified supply chains. By understanding and anticipating the impacts of weather-related disruptions, organizations can enhance their resilience and protect their trade operations in an increasingly unpredictable environment.

These examples illustrate the critical need to grasp the interconnected nature of these trends. At Aon, we are uniquely positioned to help our clients understand this complex landscape. Our integrated structure, deep expertise and data-driven insights — across Risk Capital and Human Capital — enable our firm to help business leaders make better informed decisions that enhance their resilience and drive growth.

We hope these insights help you to make better decisions as you navigate complexity and volatility to unlock opportunities to protect and grow your businesses.

Greg Case
CEO, Aon