Wednesday 30 April 2025 - Thought Leadership

In the Eye of the Storm: A year in crisis management

Over the last year, the world has witnessed exceptional levels of geopolitical turmoil, characterised by ongoing war and conflict and a record number of elections, all of which have created an incredibly uncertain environment for businesses. In this article, Mark Hutton, Chief Underwriting Officer, Crisis Management discusses how his role and the team’s offering has evolved since joining TMHCC in 2024 and outlines why the need for crisis solutions are now paramount.

Eye of the storm

Soon after joining TMHCC as Head of Crisis Management, International as part of the Specialty Group’s efforts to enhance its product recall offering and expertise, the team saw a much bigger opportunity. With businesses operating in an increasingly volatile and interconnected world, the ripple effects of a shock event, whether a riot or a lone wolf attack, can be debilitating, no matter the size of the organisation. Insurance has a fundamental role in providing security against the consequences of such incidents, enabling businesses to continue running smoothly when caught in the midst of a crisis.

From protests in Barcelona against overtourism in the city, with locals taking to the streets to vandalise businesses and attack tourists, to the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, and the re-election of President Donald Trump, which has sparked a global trade war, leaving almost every industry concerned about its future. The need to prepare for the unexpected has never been so crucial. TMHCC’s response has been to focus on building a holistic approach to crisis management, as insureds are often unaware of the threat level they are exposed to and how to navigate these risks.

Beyond the growth of our product recall solutions, we also offer cover for kidnap and ransom, maritime piracy and active assailant incidents to businesses, individuals, educational institutions, charities and governmental organisations.

We know that periods of political turmoil can often create a breeding ground for heightened polarisation and civil unrest, which can harm the ease of doing business. The ongoing war in Gaza has caused thousands around the world to take to the streets in protest nearly every week since the outbreak of the conflict. Businesses, including global household brands, universities and government buildings have all found themselves as key targets, with protesters accusing them of complicity. This has seen a number of official properties vandalised, with protesters also preventing customers from entering stores and staff from entering buildings that are targets of the boycott movement.

In an era turbocharged by social media, local civil disruptions have proven to escalate into major national crises quickly. No longer do these incidents occur in isolation; rather, the reach and influence of these platforms have the power to inspire copycat attacks around the world. The potential for these events to become viral, seen by millions at just the touch of a button, can also lead to financial losses from reputational damage, which can be difficult to overcome.

As part of TMHCC’s Crisis Management offering, our expert and around-the-clock consulting services set us apart from the market. Our advisors offer critical support during an insured's time of need, helping them not only overcome a crisis but also build resilience against finding themselves in a similar situation.

As we approach the second half of 2025, one thing is certain—uncertainty will continue. Gone are the days when an incident in a remote part of the world could be contained with limited impact on the market. Businesses and organisations that recognise this and invest in crisis management and risk mitigation solutions will find themselves in a more robust position to overcome the challenges that are coming their way.

To see how our team can help you, please visit our Crisis Management page.

 

Contact details

Mark Hutton

Head of Crisis Management, International