Insight

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers opportunities through efficiencies and innovation, but it also brings significant risks. To harness its potential, organisations must ensure they understand these risks and put appropriate mitigation in place.

Winners of the ALARM Risk Awards 2026 Partnership Award, Bristol City Council, Zurich Municipal and PwC demonstrate how collaboration, leadership and strategic thinking can help organisations strengthen risk management and can unlock the true value of insurance.

As a first-time attendee at both the ALARM National Conference and the wider public services risk management community, Ebube wasn't entirely sure what to expect when she arrived in Manchester. What she discovered was a conference that perfectly balanced professional development, meaningful connections and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere.

Rising demand, constrained resources, and growing sustainability expectations are reshaping how public services organisations manage property damage. By aligning technology, workforce capability, and environmental priorities, services can adapt to deliver efficient, accountable, and resilient outcomes for communities.

Investigating accidents involving adult service users requires an understanding of the wider care sector.

A concise overview of tree-related claims, highlighting the key legal issues and offering practical guidance for defending potential claims.

Sustainable buildings are at higher risk of significant losses than those made of non-combustible materials.

Risk management and consideration of vulnerable road users continue to be a key obligation for highways authorities

Highway authorities across the country face a mounting challenge: ageing road infrastructure, exponentially rising repair costs, and funding that has failed to keep pace with demand.

Across all industries, there has recently been a noticeable rise in employees using unmanaged AI tools and unsanctioned cloud services to accelerate everyday work.

The complexities surrounding unauthorised flag displays and the responsibilities councils bear in addressing them.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

With more competition in the cyber insurance market, there’s never been a better time to add cover to your defences.

Government impetus behind plug-in solar may unlock regulation and availability in the UK this year - benefitting social housing tenants.

The High Court judgment handed down in Khamba v Harrow Council [2025] brings significant extra protection to AMHPs, and the potential to extend the Poole/HXA principles.

STAIRs present a new transparency baseline, and a new risk signal for social landlords.

Proactive risk management now is vital to safeguard the long-term success of LGR.

For social housing providers, the revised Decent Homes Standard (DHS) - alongside linked reforms such as Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and Awaab’s Law - signal a fundamental shift in expectations.

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week with the story of apprenticeship success in insurance underwriting.

What you need to know and prepare for

What’s changing, what it means for landlords now, and how to mitigate risks.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

Risk workshops can be a catalyst for real change.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

The continued expansion of vicarious liability beyond traditional employment relationships creates new risks.

How to ensure senior leadership buy in when developing an organisation’s risk appetite.

Martyn's Law may bring change to the type and number of claims against those responsible for premises and events. It will also impact the way claims are investigated.

Enshrined in law through the Social Value Act 2012, Social Value plays a recognised part in the evaluation of tenders across the public sector. But how do you deliver it, and make it personal?

The Crime and Policing Bill sets out a substantial package of reforms - including important developments for safeguarding.

AI assisted pleadings may seem like a quick win for litigants in person, but from a defendant's perspective AI-generated claims are not quick or simple to deal with.

Procurement Act 2023 changes affect insurance related contracts and interactions. Engage with insurers and insurance partners now to make the most of the revised procurement framework.

Use the upcoming renewal season to get the right data, and your data right. Work on contacts, and work out contracts, for a stronger foundation for change.

The Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) isn’t just a regulatory hoop to jump through, it’s a strategic opportunity to improve your organisation’s cyber maturity and resilience.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

All organisations are asking: how do we harness AI’s potential while protecting public trust, fairness and accountability?

Before your next insurer day, take time to plan, prepare, and engage. The return on your investment will be well worth the effort.

Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the cycle lane... light segregation may be the new villain on your highway network.

Disrepair claims have been increasing, and Awaab’s Law, which comes into force on 27 October 2025, is not expected to reduce them.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in England is on a fast track, with councils in all affected areas and at all levels preparing for change.

Freedom of speech has evolved into an area of risk for universities that requires a new approach and internal management.

When claimants lose QOCS protection.

Risk management professionals may not often turn the risk management lens on ourselves, or on our carefully constructed policies and inspection programmes, but we do need to.

This is an extremely sensitive and complex area of law, which is evolving quickly. Public service organisations should consider the impact of the Supreme Court judgment, alongside the anticipated EHRC guidance.

Sinkholes are becoming more frequent in the UK due to increased wet weather and climate change.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

Gaining assurance is a fundamental role for any professional managing risk.

Exploring the tensions between an organisation’s desire to reduce workplace accidents, versus actively encouraging more near miss and non-conformance reporting.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

Early engagement, detailed project information and a packed contacts book can help take the complexities out of construction cover.

Exaggerated or dishonest claims from leaseholders increased in 2024-25

“Being creative and coming up with solutions is really satisfying.”

The UK Government’s White Paper: Restoring Control over the Immigration System, indicates that employers must now tread a changing immigration path with care and clarity.

The benefits of outdoor activities and trips are acknowledged. But it is crucial they are planned properly, with sensible precautions.

Managing a fleet includes managing drivers, and making sure they are safe to drive is a fundamental responsibility.

Nine steps to understanding material facts and their impact on your insurance.

The alternative accommodation market is challenging for insurers temporarily re-homing people in the event of a claim, with significant knock-on effects for housing associations and local authorities who are ultimately responsible for ensuring customers are safely and suitably accommodated.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

Insurance and risk considerations play an even greater role in periods of significant change and business or sector transformation. Getting it right all the time is tricky when risks are constantly evolving and emerging. Here’s a simple five-step prompt for risk professionals.

The Building Safety Act (BSA) presents serious implications for those managing insurance-funded property repairs, and risk managers should be aware of BSA compliance.

Project and product risk in AI implementation is strongly tied to an organisation’s data maturity and the ability to set robust, focused project parameters. Risk management professionals can be instrumental in supporting successful outcomes.

Accounting for technology risk can be hard at the best of times, but how can universities mitigate technology risk in the current financial climate?

A Q&A with a member practitioner to find out more about individuals and the work they are doing.

Despite the kitchen becoming a much safer environment, cooking appliances still remain the primary source of ignition in households across the UK.

World Health Day prompts us to consider the global move towards prioritising prevention to enhance people’s continued wellness and wellbeing, as well as quality of life in older ages. Keeping people out of hospital and targeting interventions before acute and chronic conditions occur also benefits health systems.

Data, time and a proactive approach are essential for councils going through devolution and local government reorganisation.

It remains to be seen if the reforms go far enough but what is clear is that building safety is an area that requires constant review to ultimately ensure that a disaster such as the fire at Grenfell Tower is never repeated.

In Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we acknowledge the positive outcomes from considering the impact on neurodivergent employees during organisational change.

Organisations may have increasing duties to act on pay transparency, but it should be managed as an opportunity as well as a threat.

Claims by drivers for damage to their vehicle and by pedestrians for personal injury are a massive drain on resources for local authorities.

Fleet transformation update

A range of networks are essential in navigating a dynamic and evolving risk landscape. They offer access to expertise, real-time information, and collaborative opportunities.

Sprinklers in schools can save lives, equipment, education, and community infrastructure. They are mandatory in Scotland and Wales, and Zurich continues to lobby government on this essential fire protection in England.

As our forthcoming article in February’s stronger narrates, the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill has had a tempestuous parliamentary journey. The latest announcement has proved a significant milestone in its tempestuous evolution.

We recognise that social value in the public sector is a challenging area for insurers, brokers and their customers.

Whistleblowers are often feared for the disruption their revelations can cause, but they play a crucial role in uncovering misconduct and fostering positive change.

Winter is the time of year when properties are more susceptible to expensive claims due to frozen pipes and water leaks, as well as damp and mould. Take preventative action now.

Influential in establishing the public sector insurance market in the UK, John Shaftoe, Managing Director of Maven Public Sector, reviews his career on his retirement.

Following a change to the personal injury discount rates for Scotland and for Northern Ireland (both to +0.5%), expectations are for an increase to the rate for England and Wales too. These changes impact personal injury claims settlements and affect insurance premiums.

Following recent changes in the law and guidance, as well as recent media coverage of housing issues, there is a significant rise in housing disrepair claims. We anticipate this trend will continue together with an increase in claims’ complexity.

Slips, trips and falls are one of the most common workplace injuries. Adopting a scientific approach to floor safety can reduce the risk of incidents and demonstrate due diligence in the event of personal injury claims.

On the 10 October 2024, the new Labour Government published the Employment Rights Bill, which sets out 28 employment law reforms, which all organisations need to plan for and navigate. Read on for HR tips and considerations to prepare for the forthcoming changes.

Effective data management is essential in a university, but without good practices it can quickly turn into disorder - much like an untidy spice cupboard.

It is incumbent on all organisations to take measures to prevent employee fraud.

Third-party trees suspected of causing subsidence to nearby buildings can lead to protracted and complex negotiations, but ground-breaking technology and improved collaborative practices offer a more promising future.

On 26 October 2024, a duty on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace comes into force. Employers need to ensure they have appropriate prevention measures.

The Labour Government’s promise to ‘take back our streets’ may mean the new Crime and Policing Bill will be introduced to Parliament as a priority.

Phil Webster, Education Director at Gallagher addresses the growing challenge of resilience for HEIs

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

Modern methods of construction offer multiple benefits but they can bring insurance challenges.

As strategic programmes are subject to high levels of uncertainty, the National Audit Office (NAO) suggests questions for decision-makers to ask to help identify, analyse and plan for uncertainty.

Claims brought under the Data Protection Act (DPA) and/or General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) have been around for as long as the legislation. Today there is an increase in the frequency of those claims and their overall value.

If the DJ v Barnsley 24 July 2024 position stands, local authorities may see an increase in claims (including historical claims) brought by individuals alleging they were harmed in kinship foster care.

Planning reform was a key part of the change Labour promised before the election and there will be a new Planning and Infrastructure Bill to facilitate it.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and their work.

The UK has introduced mandatory mediation for most small claims, marking a significant shift in its approach to civil justice.

A Q&A with a sponsor expert to find out more about individuals and the work they are doing.

The UK is at a critical juncture in its energy future.

A look ahead at public sector litigation

The threat of cyber crime continues to grow and evolve, impacting all organisations and increasingly, their supply chains too.

A Q&A with a member practitioner to find out more about individuals and the work they are doing.