On Aon

In this Industry Insight episode of the On Aon podcast, Aon’s power and energy leaders discuss why access to reliable power is becoming a defining factor in growth, investment and business strategy. As AI, digital infrastructure, electrification and manufacturing expansion accelerate demand, organizations must think beyond energy consumption and consider how power availability, infrastructure readiness and capital deployment will influence future opportunities. As these technologies mature, the industry will need to think not only about how to build them, but also how to finance them, insure them, and create confidence among investors, lenders, utilities, and end users.

The conversation explores how leaders can make more informed decisions by evaluating interconnected risks earlier, strengthening confidence among investors and insurers, and aligning digital infrastructure investments with long-term business objectives. It also examines how data-driven insight, climate analytics and a diversified energy strategy can help organizations unlock growth, secure financing and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving environment.

Key Takeaways:              

1. Reliable power is now essential to growth. Before deploying capital, leaders need to assess whether infrastructure can support their ambitions.
2. The best decisions happen earlier in the project life cycle. Climate, regulatory, supply-chain and resource risks can influence performance, insurability and investment outcomes.
3. Insight and capital will shape the next generation of infrastructure. Advanced risk analytics can help organizations identify opportunities, build investor confidence and improve access to financing.

Experts in this episode:            

• Charles Philpott, Global Natural Resources Leader, Enterprise Client Group, Aon  
• Carol Stark, North American Renewable Energy Leader, Commercial Risk, Aon 
• Rebecca McCabe, U.S. Power and Renewables Leader, Aon 

Key Moments:              

(1:40) Why rising demand from AI, digital infrastructure, electrification and manufacturing is turning power availability into a boardroom issue.

(5:50) How leaders can balance reliability, affordability and sustainability while accounting for climate, regulatory and supply-chain considerations.

(10:20) Why infrastructure investment, risk insight and a diversified energy strategy will help determine which organizations are best positioned for growth.

Soundbites:              

Charles Philpott:  

“Power quickly becomes more than an operational issue. It becomes a strategic growth issue. Meeting that demand will take more than generating additional power. It will require resilient infrastructure, greater investor confidence, and better decisions about risk and capital.”

Carol Stark:    

“The forward-looking companies really are not only looking at today and their climate concerns, but the future. Because these are 25-, 30-year assets that are going to need to be resilient as the climate changes. And to only look at the picture now versus the picture over time really is short-sighted.”

Rebecca McCabe: 

“What we know is that organizations will be able to define their success when they really think about these interconnected risks early on and address them early on in their life cycle. And that's really important to think about in terms of addressing the broader discussion around power supply and demand.”

In this Human Capital Insight episode of the On Aon podcast, Aon leaders discuss how organizations are taking pay transparency from a regulatory requirement to a leadership priority. Drawing on findings from Aon's 2026 Pay Transparency Pulse 2 Study, they explore why trusted transparency depends on strong data foundations, clear governance and confident decision-making. The conversation examines how leaders can strengthen employee trust, equip managers for more effective conversations and create a scalable approach that supports workforce confidence and long-term growth.

Key Takeaways:             

1. Pay transparency is becoming a test of organizational leadership. Organizations are focused on demonstrating that pay decisions are consistent, explainable and supported by strong governance.
2. Connected workforce data creates confidence and insight. Bringing together job architecture, pay programs, performance information and workforce data gives leaders a stronger foundation for decision-making .
3. Manager capability is critical to successful execution. Organizations that stay ahead are equipping managers with the tools, guidance and confidence needed to navigate pay conversations and reinforce trust at scale.

Experts in this episode:           

• Laura Wanlass, Governance/ESG Practice Leader, Talent Solutions, North America, Aon 
• Steve Guyer, Partner, Head of Rewards and Workforce Advisory, Aon
• Anthony Poole, Partner and Industry Sector Leader, Human Capital, Aon

Key Moments:             

(3:20) How the EU Pay Transparency Directive is accelerating action globally and why leaders need a framework that balances consistency with flexibility.

(7:25) Why confidence should be tested through execution, and how organizations can evaluate whether their pay transparency programs are delivering as intended.

(21:35) The priorities leaders should focus on now, from strengthening data foundations and governance to improving the employee experience.

Soundbites:             

Laura Wanlass: 

“It's clear from the second pulse survey that organizations have moved beyond debating whether to act. And the question really is now whether their data, their governance, managers, and decision processes can support transparency consistently and credibly.”

Steve Guyer:   

“I think at the end of the day, disclosure is the outcome, not the starting point. Trusted transparency rests on strong foundations, consistent decisions, and the evidence that the process works.”

Anthony Poole:

“When we talk about our phrase of trusted transparency, employees have to trust both the data and the process behind paying decisions. So the organizations need to build trust when they can provide consistent explanations supported by reliable data, good governance and manager capability.”

Key Resources:

2026 Pay Transparency Pulse 2 Study

In this Risk Capital Insight episode, Aon's Mona Barnes and SCOR’s Neil Owen discuss why claims strategy has become a business and capital decision, not simply an insurance outcome. Drawing on perspectives from both Aon and SCOR, they explore how leading organizations are using claims data, carrier insight and analytics to make better placement decisions, strengthen Risk Capital strategies and improve outcomes before a claim is filed. The conversation also examines how organizations can navigate such evolving exposures as U.S. litigation, AI, data center expansion and secondary climate perils and stay ahead in a changing risk environment at the same time.

Key Takeaways:             

1. Claims capability is key. Evaluating an insurer's claims expertise can provide valuable insight into the quality of protection an organization is buying.
2. Carriers must be aligned. As insurance programs become more layered and specialized, greater coordination, advocacy and alignment across carriers become increasingly important.
3. Data drives better Risk Capital decisions. Organizations can use claims analytics and risk insights to inform carrier selection, understand total cost of risk and make better decisions about future growth.

Experts in this episode:           

• Mona Barnes, Global Chief Claims Officer, Aon 
• Neil Owen, Global Head of Claims, SCOR 

Key Moments:             

(3:05) Why claims capability is becoming a more important consideration in carrier selection and how analytics can support stronger placement decisions.

(7:10) How insurance program design can influence claims outcomes and why coordination matters when losses occur.

(15:45) What emerging exposures, from litigation and AI to data centers and climate risk, mean for future claims strategies.

Soundbites:             

Mona Barnes: 

“For those insurers who are seeing true value in their claims function, they've got a seat at their executive table and they're looking to show a value differentiation through claims. Clients are recognizing the importance of that and they're actively moving business towards those insurers.”

Neil Owen:   

“Claims is the product, it's the promise that you're making when you're writing the risk.”

In this Global Insight episode of the On Aon podcast, Joe Peiser is joined by Liz Henderson  to discuss why climate resilience has become a defining leadership priority. As expectations from investors, insurers, regulators and stakeholders continue to evolve, organizations are increasingly being asked to demonstrate how they can withstand disruption and sustain growth.

Ahead of New York Climate Week, Peiser and Henderson explore how climate risk is shaping access to capital, influencing insurability and informing strategic business decisions. The conversation focuses on how leaders can use data, analytics and risk capital to make more confident decisions, strengthen resilience and position their organizations to stay ahead.

Key Takeaways:             

1. Climate resilience has become a business and capital priority, influencing access to insurance, investment and long-term growth.
2. Organizations create greater value when they connect climate insights to clear action, translating analytics into resilience investments, risk financing strategies and measurable outcomes.
3. Demonstrating resilience through data and evidence can help organizations strengthen stakeholder confidence, unlock capital and stay ahead in a rapidly changing risk environment.

Experts in this episode:           

• Joe Peiser, CEO of Risk Capital, Aon
• Liz Henderson, Global Head of Climate Risk Advisory, Aon

Key Moments:             

(5:00) Why insurability is emerging as a strategic business indicator, informing investment, financing and operational decisions.

(9:45) The common pitfalls that prevent organizations from turning climate insights into meaningful action and measurable business impact.

(12:55) Aon's four-stage resilience framework and how organizations can move from identifying risk to delivering stronger outcomes across operations, capital and insurance programs.

Soundbites:             

Joe Peiser: 

“Climate resilience is increasingly becoming a business and capital issue, not simply an environmental one.”

Liz Henderson:   

“The conversation has really shifted from understanding risk and quantifying it to actually building out plans to manage it and build resilience within their organization.”

In this Industry Insight episode of the On Aon podcast, Steve Schell and Nancy McCarrick discuss why healthcare strategy has become a critical business priority for life sciences organizations. As healthcare costs continue to rise, leaders must make disciplined decisions that protect workforce health, support innovation and strengthen long-term growth.

Schell and McCarrick explore why healthcare benefit decisions can no longer sit solely within HR, how data-driven insights can help leaders allocate resources more effectively and why closer alignment across finance, HR and the business is essential to building sustainable workforce strategies. They also examine how AI, advanced analytics and targeted investments can help organizations make smarter healthcare decisions, unlock greater value from benefits programs and position themselves to stay ahead in the competition for highly skilled talent.

Key Takeaways:            

1. Healthcare strategy is now a business issue, influencing talent outcomes, workforce performance and an organization's ability to deliver on growth objectives.
2. Leading organizations are using data and benchmarking insights to identify where investments create the greatest value. Organizations that align finance, HR and business leaders around a long-term strategy are better-positioned to manage costs, strengthen workforce health and stay ahead of future challenges.

Experts in this episode:          

• Steve Schell, Global Life Sciences Leader, Aon
• Nancy McCarrick, Senior Vice President, Health Solutions, Aon

Key Moments:            

(01:40) Why healthcare costs are becoming a strategic leadership issue and what makes workforce and benefits decisions particularly consequential in the life sciences industry.

(05:50) How leading organizations are using data, benchmarking and total rewards insights to align healthcare investments with talent and business priorities.

(09:45) How AI, advanced analytics and targeted healthcare investments are helping organizations create more informed, future-focused workforce strategies.

Soundbites:            

Steve Schell:

“Poor benefit decisions do not stay in the benefit budget. They show up in talent, productivity and growth. Across-the-board cuts can damage the employer proposition precisely where the life sciences industry needs hard-to-find talent.”

Nancy McCarrick:  

“The central message is that healthcare strategy can no longer be separated from talent strategy. Organizations that succeed won't rely on one-time cost cuts. They're going to use data to understand workforce, evaluate healthcare within the total rewards pie and build that multi-year roadmap.”

In this Human Capital Insight episode of the On Aon podcast, Sharon Egilinsky and Jeff Alpaugh explore a critical question facing organizations investing in digital infrastructure: can their leadership, workforce and operating models scale as quickly as their ambitions?

As investment in AI, cloud computing and digital infrastructure accelerates, success will depend on more than just capital deployment and construction timelines. Egilinsky and Alpaugh discuss why workforce strategy, leadership capability, operational resilience and risk management have become essential drivers of execution and growth. They examine how organizations can align Human Capital and Risk Capital decisions to strengthen performance, adapt to evolving risk profiles and position themselves to stay ahead as they scale.

Key Takeaways:           

Experts in this episode:         

Key Moments:           

(2:35) Why leadership capacity and organizational readiness may become the defining factors in successful digital infrastructure growth.

(9:45) How workforce challenges can affect execution, customer outcomes and the ability to stay ahead in a rapidly expanding market.

(21:50) Why operational resilience depends on connecting people, governance and risk into a cohesive growth strategy.

Soundbites:           

Sharon Egilinsky:      

“The organizations that are in the hyperscaling business that suddenly want to power themselves are not going to need the same leaders, the same skills. And what got them to where their business is today is not necessarily what's going to get them to where they want to take their business tomorrow.”

Jeff Alpaugh: 

“Growth does not remove risk. In some cases, growth is what creates the next generation of risk.”

In this Risk Capital episode of the On Aon podcast, we look ahead to the re/insurance industry's annual gathering in Monte Carlo. Aon leaders Cynthia Beveridge and Anshuman Srivastava discuss the forces shaping insurance and reinsurance markets and the implications for organizations approaching year-end renewals.

With capital and capacity remaining strong, organizations have an opportunity to rethink the role of insurance within their broader business strategies. Cynthia and Ansh explore how leaders can use risk and capital decisions to unlock greater confidence, strengthen resilience and support growth. They also examine how data, technology and alternative sources of capital are creating new ways to address risk and make more informed decisions in an increasingly interconnected environment.

Key Takeaways:         

Experts in this episode:       

Key Moments:         

(1:00) Why Monte Carlo Rendezvous remains a critical gathering for the industry and the issues shaping renewal discussions.

(3:30) How record levels of reinsurance capital are influencing market dynamics and expanding options for organizations.

(08:35) The trends expected to shape the future of insurance and reinsurance, including technology, alternative capital and greater connectivity across the risk ecosystem.

Soundbites:         

Cynthia Beveridge:    

"There's a big disadvantage, I believe, in viewing insurance purely as a cost rather than a strategic enabler."

Anshuman Srivastava: 

"Alternative capital is playing or continues to play quite a pivotal role in being supplementary and complementary, more and more complementary actually to traditional capital."

In this Global Insight episode of the On Aon podcast, Aon experts examine how the European Union's AI Act is reshaping leadership priorities for organizations — including workforce decisions. As AI is used more and more in hiring, talent assessment and workforce management, leaders will need to understand how these tools are governed, monitored and deployed. The discussion explores why accountability cannot be delegated, how organizations can strengthen oversight of third-party solutions and the actions HR leaders can take to build confidence, unlock value and stay ahead as AI adoption accelerates.

Key Takeaways:        

Experts in this episode:      

Key Moments:        

(03:10) Understanding the EU AI Act, why it was introduced and why its influence may extend beyond Europe.

(08:35) Breaking down the Act's risk-based framework and what "high-risk" classification means for AI tools used in employment decisions.

(12:05) Why organizations cannot outsource accountability, and the importance of AI vendor due diligence, explainability and governance.

Key Insight:

The Time is Now: Five Actions for HR to Consider as the EU Artificial Intelligence Act Comes into Force

Soundbites:        

Charlotte Schaller:   

“If there's one message to leave HR leaders with, it's this: The EU AI Act is not just a compliance issue. It's a trust issue, a governance issue and ultimately a business performance issue.”

John McLaughlin:

“You can outsource the technology, but you cannot outsource the responsibility for it, how it affects your people.”

Michael Fetzer:

“A lot of companies are wondering where do we start? I've always recommended the great first step you might want to start with is carry out a thorough audit of your current HR AI use.”

In this Industry Insights recap episode of the On Aon podcast, leaders revisit key conversations from the first half of the year, sharing perspectives on how organizations are making better decisions and positioning themselves to stay ahead amid rapid change across the four interconnected megatrends of Trade, Technology, Weather and Workforce.

From AI-enabled decision-making in insurance to climate-informed growth strategies in food and agriculture, workforce investment in retail, infrastructure expansion in construction and talent strategies in aerospace and defense, the discussion explores how leaders are turning insight into action. The episode highlights the decisions, investments and capabilities that are helping organizations strengthen resilience, deploy capital with greater confidence and unlock opportunities for growth.

Experts in this episode:

Featured topics:

Featured Episodes

In the final episode of our special three-part series exploring Aon's 2026 Human Capital Trends Study, Byron Beebe is joined by Max Saraví and Guy Clarkson to discuss how leaders can turn workforce investments into stronger business outcomes.

As workforce and healthcare costs continue to rise, organizations are facing increasing pressure to make every people investment count. The conversation explores how leading employers are using employee value propositions, data and personalization to make more informed decisions, strengthen the employee experience and align workforce strategies with business priorities. The episode also examines how AI and emerging technologies are helping organizations deliver greater value, generate deeper insights and position themselves for long-term growth.

Key Takeaways:       

Experts in this episode:     

Key Moments:       

(1:30) Why organizations are rethinking people investments as employee expectations and healthcare costs continue to rise, and how a strong EVP can help employers deliver greater value.

(5:05) How leading organizations use data, personalization and employee insights to guide workforce investment decisions and improve employee experiences.

(11:00) The future of workforce investment, including AI-powered personalization, integrated employee experiences and the growing importance of data maturity.

Soundbites:       

Byron Beebe:  

“As workforce costs continue to rise, the real opportunity lies not in spending more but making every investment in your people count.”

Max Saraví:  

“A strong employee value proposition acts as a framework for making better decisions about people investment rather than simply adding more programs or benefits."

Guy Clarkson:

"For me, an employee value proposition should be a decision-making framework that helps organizations decide where to invest, balancing what matters most to their employees, but also how they can then allocate limited resources."