UK Businesses Highlight Financial Uncertainty and Supply Chain Disruption as Biggest Risks

UK Businesses Highlight Financial Uncertainty and Supply Chain Disruption as Biggest Risks

UK Firms Face Uncertainty: Marsh Study Reveals Top Risks

In a fresh drop from Marsh, the world’s top insurance broker, a survey of more than 2,100 UK companies with turnovers between £100,000 and £500 million has got us thinking. The biggest worries for the next year? Money tremors, people’s wellbeing, and supply chain headaches.

Financial Uncertainty – 34 %

  • Inflation & energy prices rattling budgets
  • Raw‑material costs climbing like a bad headline
  • Only 34 % flag it as a “big worry” – the lowest since 2021 (43 %)

Why the dip? Firms have beefed up their savings during Covid and now face the classic “normal” market dangers, which feel less scary than the pandemic’s unknowns.

People‑Related Risks – 29 %

  • Employee mental health and wellbeing – 31 %
  • Talent retention, attraction, and succession – 22 %
  • Public & staff health and safety – 21 %

Only 47 % of firms revamped health and safety n the past year, while 51 % bolstered mental‑health programmes. They’re gearing up for a full‑blown culture review in 2024.

Supply Chain Disruption – 23 %

Slider left on the “glitch” dial. Nearly five tenths of companies say it could derail progress.

ESG – A Half‑Giant Prioritisation

  • About 55 % can wrangle ESG rules
  • Half (50 %) weave ESG into strategy
  • 48 % have checked supplier ESG in the last 3 years

Even though reporting on ESG is mandatory for big firms, a solid 76 % haven’t yet stitched it into day‑to‑day business plans.

Optimistic Vibes – Beyond the Heads‑Up

31 out of 50 companies expect a bump in productivity, turnover, and profit – just before the next CSV.

Take‑away from Alistair Fraser, CEO, Commercial & Corporate, Marsh UK

“The UK risk landscape over the last year has been shaken by macroeconomic swings and geopolitical ripple‑effects.
From solo‑owners to multi‑nations, every business needs a rock‑solid risk strategy.
This report tells a clear story and offers pragmatic steps to fortify resilience so firms can grow with confidence.”

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