"One must not be afraid of change!"

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Brunel, Aon is known worldwide for its comprehensive insurance and risk management services. What exactly are your activities focused on in Switzerland?

Pierre Brunel: We are probably the only risk advisor that provides a complete range of solutions for our B2B clients – from direct brokerage of insurance products and reinsurance services to support for mergers and acquisitions as well as comprehensive risk consulting. Until a few years ago, Aon primarily focused on insurance brokerage and handling related transactions; however, extended service and consulting activities have since come to the forefront. This is not least due to increasing geopolitical tensions and the rise in cyberattacks in recent years, which pose ever more complex challenges for multinational companies. These companies benefit even more from a strong partner like Aon, which possesses extensive expertise in difficult areas like these.

Wirtschaftsforum: At the same time, digitization is leading to profound changes in the insurance industry – does this development contribute to a dehumanization of your business sector?

Pierre Brunel: I believe the opposite is the case. Digitization is necessary and has become indispensable – Aon has also made significant investments in data analytics processes in recent years, so that we can better understand the risks to which our clients are exposed and their market environment. However, at the end of this process, there are still concrete, individually tailored solutions and, in the best case, long-term partnerships that can only be based on mutual trust. Particularly in this context, personal contact will remain indispensable in both B2B and B2C segments. The goal of digitization cannot therefore be to dehumanize our economic sector, but only to streamline processes, improve user experience, and provide a more holistic view of all relevant topics.

Wirtschaftsforum: How does Aon's approach differ from other market participants?

Pierre Brunel: We operate at a total of ten locations in Switzerland and tailor our activities entirely to the specific requirements of our local partners. Our dynamic team of 380 employees offers targeted solutions, and at the same time, we can focus the combined strength of a multinational company; we have access to global resources and a wide pool of experts. Thus, we essentially combine the best of both worlds – and often feel like a dynamic start-up within a global corporation.

Wirtschaftsforum: How do you shape the profound change currently sweeping through the insurance industry?

Pierre Brunel: In my view, change should not be portrayed as a problem – since there is always change in some form, and change always holds many opportunities that need to be seized. One must not be afraid of change and must remain accordingly flexible. Therefore, as CEO, it is of special concern to me to promote young talent and assign them responsibility at an early stage, so they can live out their creativity and drive our company forward. Given the digital transformation, our profession indeed needs to reinvent itself to some extent – and here too, young employees play an important role for me. This is also reflected in our Executive Committee in Switzerland: Three of our eleven members are between 30 and 35 years old; the mix of younger and older colleagues moves us forward and is our strength. Furthermore, Aon Switzerland has been an official member of Advance, the leading business association for gender equality in Switzerland, since this year. I am very proud of this, as I am convinced that only an inclusive and open corporate culture will prevail in the future – in the insurance industry as in any other sector.