Global Directors’ and Officers’ Survey Report 2024/2025 – Europe

In the ever-evolving landscape of European business, directors and officers are navigating a complex web of challenges and priorities. The 2025 Directors and Officers Survey results reveal that regulatory compliance and disclosure, financial performance monitoring and reporting, and cybersecurity and data privacy are the most pressing concerns however, one of the more noteworthy rankings is, of course, health and safety continuing to take the top spot for the second consecutive year. These issues are not only critical for maintaining operational integrity but also for ensuring long-term sustainability in a rapidly changing economic and regulatory environment. As the world becomes increasingly unstable, the need for robust risk management and insurance coverage has never been more crucial. This article delves into the key findings of the survey, highlighting the stability of these concerns over the past year and the unique risk profiles across various industries.

Key findings and trends

Comparison with last year

The Directors’ and Officers’ Survey results for Europe shows a remarkable consistency in the top risks faced by directors and officers. Financial performance monitoring and reporting, purpose and strategy development, enterprise risk management, regulatory compliance and disclosure, and cybersecurity and data privacy remain the most critical areas. These findings indicate that the results from the previous year have proved to be stable, reflecting a persistent focus on these core areas.

However, the world is an even more unstable place than it was a year ago, and this trend is expected to continue. The ongoing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, and technological advancements are creating a volatile environment that requires directors and officers to be more vigilant than ever. The survey underscores the need for proactive risk management strategies and comprehensive insurance coverage to mitigate these challenges.

Climate-related risks

Despite the growing concern about climate change among the European population, climate-related risks do not feature in the top seven risks identified by directors and officers. This discrepancy could be attributed to the immediate and tangible nature of other risks, such as financial performance and regulatory compliance, which are perceived as more pressing. However, the slight decrease in the importance of broader sustainability and climate risk and transition suggests that while climate change is a significant concern, it is not yet a top priority for business leaders.

Industry-specific insights

The risk perceptions and concerns of European directors and officers vary significantly across different industries, highlighting the diverse risk landscapes they face:

• Finance and insurance: Data loss and regulatory breaches are the top concerns, with 79% and 78% of respondents ranking them as very or extremely important, respectively
• Industrial sector: Health and safety is the primary concern at 88%, followed by regulatory breaches and cyber attacks, both at 76%
• Healthcare: Health and safety is also the top concern at 88%, followed by data loss and regulatory breaches at 76% and 71%, respectively
• Services sector: Cyber attacks are the most significant concern at 79%, followed by data loss and regulatory breaches at 78% and 68%, respectively
• Transportation and retail: Health and safety is the top concern at 83%, followed by data loss and cyber attacks at 78% and 76%, respectively
• Energy and utilities: Health and safety is the primary concern at 91%, followed by regulatory breaches and cyber attacks at 83% and 78%, respectively

These industry-specific insights underscore the need for tailored risk management strategies that address the unique challenges faced by each sector.

Conclusion

The Directors’ and Officers’ Survey for Europe provides a comprehensive overview of the key risks and concerns facing business leaders. While the findings show stability in the top risks compared to the previous year, the increasing instability of the global environment necessitates a heightened focus on regulatory compliance, financial performance, and cybersecurity. Despite the broader public concern about climate change, it remains outside the top seven risks, indicating a need for greater alignment between public and business priorities. By understanding and addressing these risks, European directors and officers can better navigate the challenges ahead and ensure the resilience and success of their organizations.