The word from Kennedys, as they look ahead to the many challenges of 2026.
2026 will be a year where foresight will be critical in helping businesses navigate an evolving landscape. Kennedys has explored key global and regional trends shaping its clients’ worlds in this first edition of its Foresight report, which highlights major developments and offers an informed perspective on the risks and opportunities that will define the year ahead.
A full version of the report can be found here.
“As we look to 2026 and beyond, we see a concentration of risk and commonality around five core themes. Geopolitical risk remains hugely significant, with new concerns arising and existing conflicts ongoing. Climate change and cyber-attacks are proliferating, with the latter growing in sophistication and risk. Social inflation is on the rise, with class actions establishing themselves in new territories. And, of course, our understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving to keep pace with its fascinating development.
“Businesses globally face shifting and evolving technological, political, environmental and economic dynamics – features that are becoming increasingly intertwined.”
Meg Catalano, Global Managing Partner at Kennedys, comments: “When it comes to external forces, insurers are concerned about economic uncertainty and geopolitical instability. Additionally, technology – whether AI or cyber-related – will continue to dominate boardroom discussions, as will the impact of natural catastrophes, and ongoing claims inflation being driven by numerous factors. Overall, we see a more volatile insurance market globally, albeit with a mixed outlook across different regions.
“Looking inward, insurers are focused on technology and automation, the evolving nature of the sector globally, and how functions such as underwriting will develop in an AI world. Insurance also faces challenges around the war for talent and attracting younger people into the sector. Regulation will continue to play its part, and we are likely to see further corporate activity in the sector, whether through mergers and acquisitions or private equity investments.”
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