Aon’s Strategy and Technology Group—driving clarity and confidence in all weathers

“What excited me about joining Aon was the powerful alignment with what I’d been trying to achieve in previous roles—re/insurers look around corners, navigate market cycles, and leverage data and technology to make better decisions,” said Steve Dando, UK & EMEA chief executive officer of Aon’s Strategy and Technology Group (STG).

Having joined Aon at the start of 2024, Dando has extensive experience in strategic placement and broking leadership and is thrilled about the opportunity STG offers, a unit he describes as a “consulting-led business, powered by data and analytics, enabled by technology”. 

The value proposition of STG lies in its ability to go beyond the typical re/insurance transaction and deliver a different dynamic to Aon’s clients, he said.

“You couldn’t just insert STG into another insurance or reinsurance broker, because you need a core set of ingredients, a collaborative culture, and a sophisticated approach to data for it to integrate and work effectively,” Dando explained. 

“STG turbocharges these efforts with the power and scale that Aon can offer.”

Sitting across risk capital (insurance and reinsurance), STG provides a unique perspective within Aon. 

This is not just about having the right tools, but about the culture and organisational structure that allows Aon to deliver exceptional value to its clients, Dando said.

“We are able to deliver a differentiated value proposition. STG is not an add-on—it’s an integral part of Aon’s ability to offer insights that bring greater clarity and confidence, and elevate our offering beyond the complexities of reinsurance transactions,” he added.

Driving growth in soft markets

“In the UK and EMEA markets, especially within the Lloyd’s and London Market, we’re starting to see some softening on the direct insurance side,” Dando said.

“This represents challenges and opportunities for re/insurers,” he noted.

In such a landscape, STG’s role becomes even more important. “We’re helping clients navigate these market dynamics by supporting them in committing to a clear value proposition for their unique business.

“Whether they are recognised global leaders, or smaller players in niche markets, we help them to stand tall and articulate where they want to be in the insurance ecosystem,” he asserted.

STG leverages Aon’s data resources and actuarial expertise to help clients respond to the current market environment and to strategically position themselves for future profitable growth. 

“Part of the STG team is a 65-strong team of actuaries working hand-in-hand with re/insurers on themes such as portfolio optimisation, capital allocation and more,” he said. 

“This isn’t just ‘surviving’ in a softening market; it means thriving in it,” 

Dando highlighted how STG’s insights are invaluable for clients planning their strategies amid shifting market conditions. “We have the ability to look back over 15 to 20 years of data, to see how markets grew during previous cycles.

“We give clients the confidence to execute their plans effectively,” he added.

Elevating client collaboration 

Collaboration is at the heart of STG’s approach, particularly when it comes to working with Aon’s broking teams. 

“We work hand-in-glove with our re/insurance broking leadership to ensure that they can put their, and Aon’s, best foot forward, on behalf of our clients,” Dando said.

“STG is positioned to provide unique market insights.”

For him, Baden-Baden represents a crucial opportunity to continue showcasing STG’s capabilities. “I’m excited to pull the curtain back on STG, to ensure our clients fully understand the value proposition we represent,” Dando said.

His goal is to demonstrate that Aon’s approach is more than just transactional—it’s delivering a joined-up, collaborative service that leverages the full breadth of Aon’s capabilities.

“At Baden-Baden, we’ll be focusing on themes that have been top of mind for our clients throughout the year—driving profitable growth, navigating softening markets, and understanding the knock-on effects for reinsurance.

“STG is positioned to provide unique insights on these fronts,” Dando explained.

He is eager to demonstrate how STG can support clients in achieving their goals.

“Our brokers understand when to pull the STG lever, and the feedback we’ve received suggests that our combined client servicing proposition is second to none,” he concluded.

Steve Dando is UK & EMEA chief executive officer of Aon’s Strategy and Technology Group. He can be contacted at: stephen.dando@aon.com 

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