2025 has been described as a year which has reshaped the global risk environment around threats to individuals or client assets.

In its latest Crisis Management Annual Review, Willis said incidents had increased by more than a third in 2025, accounting for 37% of all incidents reported to Alert:24 – the in-house risk advisory and crisis support service provided by the broker.

It added geopolitical volatility, economic pressure, shifting alliances and the rise of youth‑led activism created sustained uncertainty for organisations operating internationally. Amid escalating conflicts, political division and social unrest, businesses faced a more complex risk environment, requiring them to safeguard people and assets, maintain operations, and strengthen long-term resilience.

Jo Holliday, global head of crisis management, said: “We heard from many clients that 2025 was a challenging year.  Across every region, our Crisis Management and Alert:24 teams helped clients navigate a complex threat landscape through diverse incidents. We are deeply grateful for the trust they place in us.”

She added: “2025 was a year that reshaped the global risk environment. Geopolitical volatility, economic pressure, shifting alliances and the rise of youth‑led activism created sustained uncertainty for organisations operating internationally.

“Against a backdrop of conflict escalation, political fragmentation and social unrest, businesses were required to navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape while maintaining continuity, protecting people and assets, and planning for long‑term resilience.”

Holliday said while the overall volume of incidents remained broadly consistent with recent years, the nature of the risks evolved significantly.

“ Threat notifications surged, geopolitical flashpoints triggered regional spikes in demand for intelligence and support, and instability in high‑risk markets continued to challenge organisational preparedness.”

She concluded: “Looking ahead to 2026, businesses face an operating environment marked by persistent unpredictability. The interplay between political dynamics, economic pressures and rapidly shifting security conditions will continue to test organisational resilience.”

The report highlighted:

• Threat frequency: The broad range of perils facing Alert:24’s clients followed a similar pattern on a monthly basis to that of 2024, with the exception of a deviation in June, following the Iran-Israel conflict. This caused higher repatriation assistance demand, as well as situational information, safety advice and intelligence analysis. Overall, there was a 10% rise in the total number of clients assisted in the first 11 months of the year, compared with the same period in 2024. Incident notification frequency remained relatively consistent with previous years.

• Prominent trends: In 2025, kidnap and extortion risks increasingly reflected broader global instability, with threats intensifying in traditionally high-risk countries and emerging in states previously considered lower risk. Persistent political, social, and economic fragilities enabled organised criminal groups, particularly in Latin America and West Africa, to use kidnapping and extortion to generate revenue, exert control, and challenge state authority.

• Regional distribution of incidents: In 2025, Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest number of client notifications for the third consecutive year, accounting for over a quarter of incidents, with nearly half originating in the DRC amid ongoing conflict, disease, and criminality. North America followed closely, Latin America saw an overall decline and Europe and Asia Pacific continued to report the fewest notifications, consistent with 2024.

Willis said beyond 2025, episodes of political instability will reshape global trade, creating an environment of ongoing uncertainty where a single event can trigger widespread commercial disruption. As a result, firms that can anticipate and swiftly adapt to political risks affecting their international supply chains are better positioned to outperform competitors.