Construction Blueprints Podcast

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, host Trent Williams, Head of Broking, Global Construction speaks with Laysee Ong, Digital Infrastructure Industry Leader, Asia about Asia's rapid data centre expansion and the infrastructure needed to support AI growth. They discuss power availability, site selection, resource constraints, supply chain risks, and why investors are increasingly focusing on resilience and risk management as critical factors for long-term success in digital infrastructure.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, Kate Fowler, Global Head of Nuclear and Alastair Nicklin, Senior Director, Natural Resources explores the growing connection between AI, data centres and nuclear energy. The discussion examines why surging demand for computing power is making reliable electricity a strategic priority, how nuclear power can support digital infrastructure resilience, and the risks and opportunities associated with deploying new nuclear technologies to meet future energy needs.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, host Keith Lazarchik speaks with Robert Azarian, Head of Loss Control, Willis Construction, about underwriting healthcare construction projects specifically from the safety and loss perspective.

In this episode Trent Williams, head of broking, global construction, and Tom Grandmaison, chief client officer discuss how Willis is responding to the rapid growth of digital infrastructure and data centers. Alongside George Haitsch, Technology, Media and Telecom Industry Leader they outline Willis's global capabilities and how the firm connects construction, operations, and technology risk to better support clients.

The episode explores key topics including data center risk management, insurance capacity, energy and power dependencies, and the impact of AI on digital infrastructure. The conversation also highlights Willis's eight point risk framework and the importance of a coordinated global approach to help owners, developers, and investors manage complex, evolving risks over the next three to five years.

In this episode of the Construction Blueprints podcast series, our Asia Construction team experts discuss the current state of the construction insurance market in Asia.

In this episode of the Construction Blueprints podcast series, our experts discuss the current state of the construction insurance market across the Pacific region, i.e. Australia and New Zealand.

In this episode of the Construction Blueprints podcast series, our experts discuss the current state of the construction insurance market across the Latin America region.

Note: This episode was recorded in Spanish to reflect the local context of the LATAM market, but an approximate transcript translation is available on our web site in English to support our global audience.

In this episode of the Construction Blueprints podcast series, our North America Construction team experts discuss the current state of the construction insurance market.

In this episode of the Construction Blueprints podcast series, our expert Mike Venables discusses the current state of the construction insurance market across Great Britain, Europe and Middle East.

Cynthia shares real-life experiences—from CEO deaths to site fatalities—that shaped Bernards' updated crisis response plan. Within this episode, our experts discuss how Bernards built a culture-aligned framework featuring site and corporate response teams, a comprehensive risk register, and a Quick Reaction Guide (QRG) for fast decision-making.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, Gemma Tait, Head of GB Construction, is joined by Kate Fowler, Global Head of Nuclear, to explore small modular reactors (SMRs).

Within this episode, our experts discuss what makes nuclear construction unique and challenges faced by insurers and the industry. From determining who holds primary responsibility for insurance obligations, to understanding how limits may vary across different SMR developments, the conversation also examines major supply chain hurdles like sourcing nuclear fuel and managing skilled labor.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, Jessica Rasulo, leader of the New York Metro Construction Industry vertical, is joined by Jason Krauss, Cyber and E&O Thought & Product Coverage Leader at FINEX North America, to explore the most pressing cyber risks facing the construction sector - including how to protect projects from data breaches.

Within this episode, our experts discuss the role of AI in cyber risk management, the impact ransomware attacks have had on the construction industry, essential internal security practices companies should adopt, and much more.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, Bill Creedon, Global Head of Construction, is joined by Rupert Mackenzie, Global Head of Natural Resources, to explore the current state of renewables – the future, the evolving opportunities and the changing market dynamics.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, our experts dive into the world of latent defect insurance, exploring its benefits in the wake of high-profile contractor demise and how it can protect developers and owners.

They also discuss the best time to secure a latent defect insurance (LDI) policy and the extra safeguards it provides against contractor insolvency.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, our experts discuss the evolution and opportunities presented by nuclear energy in global decarbonization efforts amidst the growing needs to power data centers and artificial intelligence technologies.

Within this episode hosted by Tom Grandmaison, Chief Client Officer – Construction, panelists Gary Rodrigues, Nuclear Lead, and Joe Hurley, TMT Industry Leader – Western NA focus on the fundamentals of nuclear energy, its resurgence as a clean energy source and the innovative applications occurring in this sector. They further explore the risk and insurance issues that companies embarking on nuclear-powered projects should consider.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints our experts discuss the financial impact presented to the construction sector deriving from the transition to a lower carbon economy.

Within this episode Maria and Will focus on some of the significant financial risk and opportunities being presented to the construction industry through this transition period, their insight provides useful perspective for construction companies when planning for a lower carbon economy.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints our experts discuss the impact of climate change on the construction industry.

Our Climate Practice leaders focus on the most significant climate-related risks for construction projects and provide useful perspective on what construction companies can do to incorporate climate change considerations into their long-term planning.

In this episode, you can also expect to hear helpful insight into the level of preparation required to meet stricter environmental regulations in a constantly evolving environment.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, Iris Chan, Head of Corporate Risk and Broking, Hong Kong & Macau and Executive Director, Construction Hong Kong & Macau, is joined by Mike Wyatt, Associate Director, Global Marine, International Trade & Logistics. Our experts take a deep dive into the what is modular construction, the drivers behind its significant growth, the associated risks and how companies can mitigate those risks.

When thinking about modular construction, it's important to take into consideration factors such as transportation and project delays, which is why in this episode we also explore project cargo insurance, which is insuring goods in transit from the supplier through to the project site.

Some construction sites might falsely believe that since narcotics are forbidden at the work site, this just simply shouldn't be a problem, or they might even think that having Naloxone might make people feel more of a sense of license that they can misuse narcotics at or near the workplace.

In this episode of Construction Blueprints, Jonathan Oppenheim, North America Regional Construction Leader, is joined by Jeff Levin Schurz, a Physician, Managing Director at WTW, and our North American Population Health Leader.

In the podcast, we explore the use of Naloxone as a potential life saving practice in the construction industry. This is an incredibly important topic as fatal drug overdoses have doubled in the U.S. since 2015.

For more information on the topic discussed in the podcast, please visit the following sources: Surgeon General Advisory on Naloxone and Opioid Overdose (2022)

The economic and societal impacts of secondary perils has become a concern for risk managers following a year dominated by extreme weather conditions, wildfires, droughts and floods. Beyond economic damages, numerous disasters in 2023 highlighted the need for a proactive approach to risk identification, mitigation and adaptation. In this episode of Construction Blueprints, John Marsicano, Senior Director of SDI Claims and Financial Advisory Services, is joined by Kishan Dasan, Director of Strategic Growth – Construction and Natural Resources, and Todd MacDermott, Regional Construction Claim Director, to discuss the shifting dynamics of natural catastrophe coverage in Australia and how we can draw lessons from more established Nat-Cat markets like the US.