This article was produced in partnership with Aviva.
Businesses globally are grappling with a more complex and interconnected risk environment than ever before.
From climate-driven property exposures and emerging cyber threats to the rise of new technologies such as lithium batteries and artificial intelligence (AI), risk is no longer neatly contained within borders. This means that brokers and clients increasingly need consistent, streamlined insurance programs that can keep pace.
Aviva’s Global Risk Management Solutions practice aims to deliver. For the first time, the insurer has formally united its network of 230+ risk engineers across the UK, Ireland, and Canada into a single, globally connected offering, backed by a network of trusted third-party partners.
The move formalises years of collaboration and signals a step-change in how Aviva supports commercial clients facing fast-moving, cross-border risks. The unified practice also launches Aviva’s Global Technical Specialist Network, deepening expertise in areas such as hazards, occupancy and technology exposures.
“Previously three teams worked independently; now we operate under one global practice,” said Chris Andrews (pictured below), director of Aviva Risk Management Solutions in the UK.
“Clients will receive the same services, solutions, and customer experience wherever the policy is underwritten – in any Aviva office worldwide. We’ll use local risk engineers: for example, risks written in Canada but located in the UK or Europe will be serviced by the UK and Irish teams, and vice versa.”
At the core of the model is a central account consultancy approach, where local engineers understand the risk landscape in which clients operate and are available to provide support.
“A good example is a London-written risk with North American exposures and wildfire issues,” Andrews said. “Canadian colleagues have deeper wildfire expertise, and we’re now working with their team for insight, and they’ll help service the local risks."
The cross-pollination of knowledge is designed to sharpen risk intelligence for both underwriters and clients. At the same time, Aviva can also deploy vetted, third-party specialists where needed.
Sarah Woodrow (pictured below), who helped embed Aviva’s “prevention-first” philosophy, underscored the innovation engine behind the proposition. The team has rolled out a suite of practical tools that speed advice and elevate risk insight:
To complement the in-house prevention solutions, Aviva curates a specialist partner network providing a wide range of risk management solutions at preferential rates and terms, including for instance kitchen fire suppression, occupational health and wellbeing services, cyber security, and business continuity.
For larger corporates with multi-line, multi-territory exposures, Aviva applies a coordinated account management approach.
“For major accounts, we assign account managers to coordinate our risk consultants, ensuring a consistent ‘one Aviva’ approach,” said Gill Milner (pictured below), head of risk management – casualty classes at Aviva. “We use data and technical expertise to identify current and emerging risks, and work with our clients to embed prevention-first strategies.”
Milner highlighted how the team’s passion for innovation translates into tangible outcomes.
“They’re constantly innovating, from ergonomic AI assessments in warehouses and logistics to exploring how AI can support risk management across industries,” she said. “We’re pushing boundaries to deliver prevention-first outcomes for clients.”
While the risk management proposition is global in scope, the proposition is calibrated to clients of all sizes.
“In the UK commercial space, our focus is often on small to medium enterprise clients, but the goal is always the same: improving risk quality and helping customers understand and manage their risks,” said Justin Linney (pictured below), head of risk management – mid market and digital at Aviva.
“Speed of response is critical, as is education: helping clients navigate new and emerging risks while giving brokers technical insights and thought leadership to support conversations.”
That emphasis on responsiveness has reframed the operating model. Virtual surveys, self-assessment, and targeted analytics enable Aviva to triage swiftly, then deploy on-site expertise where it will have the most impact.
“Risk management has traditionally been feet on the ground, but our digital tools allow us to respond more promptly without losing the personal connection,” Linney added.
Another focus of the team is the codification of best practices. Its technical solutions team develops and maintains Loss Prevention Standards, a library of over 250 documents that outline exposures, controls, and best practices.
The standards support self-service for SMEs and act as benchmarking frameworks for complex accounts. “We’re continually scanning the horizon for emerging risks,” Andrews said.
Aviva is also investing in client education at scale. Later this year, it plans to launch an e-learning platform with gamified training modules that customers can assign to employees and track completion. The initial curriculum will align with prevalent risks and customer demand.
Battery technology is one such topic. “With the rise of lithium-ion batteries in everything from tools to electric vehicles, we’ve developed guides, standards, and soon e-learning modules to help customers manage these risks,” Andrews said.
Milner’s ergonomic AI initiative is among the first wave of new tools. Designed to assess manual handling and workplace transport tasks quickly and consistently, it is already being piloted in logistics, warehousing and retail. “We’ve used it initially in warehousing and logistics,” she said. “Anything which involves lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying.”
For fleets, Milner sees the increased use of AI in driver facing cameras by fleets is having a positive effect especially when combined with driver education and the use of telematics.
"AI is bringing opportunities to manage risk: by reducing the likelihood of accidents or collisions occurring and subsequent claims," she said.
What will Aviva customers see immediately from the unified practice? Andrews said the key benefit is consistency. “Customers often deal with one person at Aviva, but they gain access to a wide range of specialists.”
He added: “Outside our core geographies, we have a global contract with a trusted third-party risk engineering provider for Central/South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, etc., bringing local standards, geography, and risk knowledge.”
Taken together, Aviva’s risk management support combines the discipline of global standards, the depth of a broader technical bench, and the nuance of local delivery, empowering clients to manage risk with confidence.
However, Aviva also emphasises the importance of broker partnership in helping clients navigate a constantly evolving risk landscape.
“We’re always listening and learning,” Andrews said. “Our goal is to innovate and collaborate with brokers and customers to tackle both current and emerging risks, wherever they operate.”
Learn more about Aviva Risk Management Solutions here.
