This research project, undertaken jointly by Airmic and CNA Hardy, was designed to answer a practical question: how can risk and insurance professionals more clearly demonstrate the value of what they do, in the language senior decision makers already use? Financial fluency is not about technical finance expertise. It is about translation: the ability to explain how risk and insurance decisions protect cash flows, preserve capital, reduce volatility and support sustainable value creation.

This Competency Framework sets out the capabilities needed to meet these expectations. It is designed to support risk professionals at every stage of their career to grow, adapt, and lead – ensuring our profession continues to strengthen its impact, relevance, and influence in an increasingly complex world.

This article is based on a discussion between Penny Seach, Chief Underwriting Officer at Zurich – the opportunities from Artificial Intelligence (AI) are profound and far-reaching – and yet businesses remain cautious. With concerns about security and reliability persisting, few organizations have moved beyond the experimentation phase. How can insurers leverage AI to responsibly drive value at scale?

Extreme heat is becoming a major urban risk. This article explores city vulnerabilities and how nature-based solutions and planning can reduce impacts.