Zurich UK has launched a new risk services unit to help businesses manage emerging and evolving risks such as climate change, supply chain risks and cyber risk management more effectively.

The new unit is part of a global initiative developed by Zurich Insurance Group to meet what it said is growing demand from businesses for risk prevention and mitigation services that enable them to improve their risk profile.

The global business unit, Zurich Resilience Solutions, will provide services that enhance the overall resilience of a customer’s business and complement traditional insurance products.

Its offering combines risk advisory services and insights with the use of technology and tools, leveraging data and analytics as well as third-party collaborations.

In the UK, the unit will include the risk engineering team and make services available to both current Zurich customers, as well as non-Zurich customers.

Among the services offered by the unit are those Zurich Group has recently launched in the areas of climate change, supply chain and cyber risk management.

The unit will also support customers across the full range of risks related to their lines of business, from property to occupational health.  Zurich will continue to build the unit’s capabilities by investing in new expertise, services and third-party collaborations.

“This takes our risk advisory and prevention services to the next level,” said Kumu Kumar, newly appointed head of Zurich Resilience Solutions in the UK.

“Customers in the UK want to expand their efforts to avoid risk rather than simply transferring it through insurance.  Many organisations suffer from a lack of relevant and reliable data and insights to help them manage and mitigate risk.  Zurich Resilience Solutions is designed to address this by providing businesses with both insights into the dangers they face, and solutions based on our expertise and unrivalled access to data.  We want to equip customers with the knowledge to tackle challenges before they develop.”

Zurich Resilience Solutions draws on Zurich’s expertise and insight, gathered over nearly 150 years, and its understanding of customers’ individual and evolving needs. Customer will have direct access to the expertise of Zurich’s network of 750 risk engineers based in 40 countries, who operate worldwide to conduct some 60,000 risk assessments annually.

At a global level, Zurich Resilience Solutions is led by Hanno Mijer, who has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and brings to the role his extensive knowledge and skill in growing businesses and expanding their offerings, as well his international consultancy experience.

During his career, he has held various leadership positions in Continental Europe, the UK and Australia.

Mijer joined Zurich in 2007 and most recently served as CEO of Zurich’s Cover-More Group. He reports to Sierra Signorelli, CEO Commercial Insurance, and is based in Zurich.

• Zurich Resilience Solutions offers risk prevention and mitigation services to help customers manage evolving risk landscape
• Newly created unit will provide businesses worldwide with advisory services, solutions and tools across a wide range of risks
• UK unit will make services available to both current Zurich and non-Zurich customers

“This takes our risk advisory and prevention services to the next level.”

Kumu Kumar, Zurich Resilience Solutions