Marsh: European organisations have room to strengthen the link between risk insight and strategic action

European organisations are strengthening resilience, but many have room to better translate risk insight into strategic action, according to research from Marsh.

Key Points:
Need better data, analytics and foresight
AI ambition outpaces risk capabilities
Supply chain visibility remains limited

The findings, published ahead of FERMA Forum 2026 in Rotterdam, are based on Marsh’s Strategic Imperatives and Risk Management Survey, which gathered responses from 146 organisations across Europe. The report, ‘Strategy under uncertainty: Embedding risk in decision-making’, examines risk management across scenario planning, supply chain resilience, AI and analytics, workforce preparedness and infrastructure resilience.

Talking to FERMA Forum Today, Typhaine Beaupérin, client leader, risk management, Europe at Marsh, who served as FERMA CEO from December 2015 to June 2025, said the research showed organisations recognising the importance of embedding risk more deeply into strategy and finance, but had not consistently translated that awareness into decisions.

“The biggest finding, I would say from the survey is that European organisations understand the need to embed risk management more deeply, exactly into strategy and finance,” Beaupérin said. “It shows that there is a gap between awareness and action.”

“The strongest organisations are no longer just spotting risks, they are turning insight into action.”

The AI journey

AI and analytics represent the clearest gap between ambition and current practice. Thirty-nine percent of respondents do not currently use AI or analytics in risk management, while a further 32% use AI only in selected areas. Yet AI and analytics are the leading near-term priority for action for 30% of respondents.

Beaupérin said the challenge was moving beyond experimentation towards practical applications supported by strong governance. 

Supply chain resilience presents a similar challenge. Nearly 40% of respondents have full visibility only of their direct suppliers, while around one-third have visibility into tier two and tier three suppliers in critical supply chains. Monitoring also remains largely manual, with 57% relying on human-led review of alerts.

Scenario analysis and stress testing are more established. More than half of respondents embed scenario analysis in strategic planning, while 43% integrate stress testing into strategic and financial planning. However, only around one-third use the findings against defined risk limits to confirm or adjust decisions.

Climate resilience also shows a gap between assessment and implementation. More than 60% have conducted quantitative climate scenario analysis, but only around one-third have defined adaptation and mitigation plans. Just 11% report investment in adapting owned assets to physical climate risks, while 8% report investment in supply chain adaptation.

Beaupérin said the survey showed that organisations were still on a journey in applying AI to risk management, with the opportunity extending beyond efficiency.

“The survey’s message is clear. The strongest organisations are no longer just spotting risks, they are turning insight into action. The opportunity now is for risk managers to bring together better data, analytics, and foresight so decisions on capital, suppliers, and resilience are more informed and more forward-looking.,” she said.

The report recommends strengthening the connection between risk insight and decision-making, extending supply chain visibility, applying AI and analytics more effectively, adopting a more forward-looking approach to workforce planning, and integrating climate adaptation and mitigation into strategy and investment decisions.

For more news from FERMA Forum Today, click here.

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