Confidence within the UK construction industry is set to bounce in 2020, when 42% of construction business leaders are upbeat about the ability of their business to grow and prosper compared to only 32% in May 20191. Similarly, construction bosses think the risk environment will improve next year, with 82% believing they will be operating in a medium to high risk environment in 2020, compared to 86% in the spring this year.
CNA Hardy Risk and Confidence research – May ‘19
These predictions are in line with other industry forecasts that anticipate the UK construction industry will grow by 5% in 20202, driven by a combination of an increase in demand for private housing, offices, education, health and large civil engineering projects – such as the Thames Tideway, Hinckley Point and HS2.
However, the sector faces a number of challenges in 2020, with the Brexit outcome still in the balance, skill shortages, reduced margins linked to sterling fluctuations and possible supply chain issues. In addition, the recent Hackitt Report on Building Regulations and Fire Safety recommends the creation of a new independent buildings regulator, and there is a move by a newly formed IUA construction committee to pressure construction insurers into greater rigour when selecting and pricing construction risk to help drive higher standards across the industry.
These challenges are reflected in construction bosses predicted top three rising risks for 2020, which sees political risk topping the rankings at 22% (up from 14% in May ’19), followed by technology risk which is predicted to rise from 16% in May to 20% by next spring, and reputational risks is set to rise in concern going from just 4% in May ’19 up to 14% in 2020.
Construction firms will need to work closely with their insurance partners to keep abreast of the changing risk landscape in 2020, and to ensure that their risk mitigation plans are fit for purpose as new regulations usher in a more challenging operating environment look likely.
1 CNA Hardy Risk and Confidence research was undertaken between February and March ’19, via an online survey of 1,500 business leaders of multinational firms with operations in Europe. Qualitative research was undertaken in May ‘19. In the UK 450 business leaders from 9 different business sectors, with a turnover ranging from £5m to £1bn+ were surveyed.
2 Glenigan Construction Forecast 2019-2020 - https://www.glenigan.com/construction-forecast-2019-2020/
About CNA Hardy
CNA Hardy, acting in the UK through Hardy (Underwriting Agencies) Limited and CNA Insurance Company Limited, and in Europe through CNA Insurance Company (Europe) S.A., is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within both the Lloyd’s and company markets. For more information, please visit CNA Hardy at www.cnahardy.com.
CNA is one of the largest U.S. commercial property and casualty insurance companies. CNA provides a broad range of standard and specialized property and casualty insurance products and services for businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada and Europe, backed by more than 120 years of experience and approximately $45 billion of assets. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com.