The EU withdrawal process can’t be given all the blame for any of these issues. The Salisbury novichok poisonings stirred up awareness of interruption when footfall around the city fell dramatically, and, alongside Brexit, markets are being disrupted by new technologies and the rapid growth of associated start-ups.
Technological developments, such as artificial intelligence, autonomous machinery and vehicles and 3D printing, are spurring concerns that workforces and business processes aren’t keeping up. Due to this, business leaders are becoming increasingly fretful about a shortage of skilled workforces; hence, after a brief hiatus, it leaps back into the UK’s top ten, landing a share of seventh position. Although, of course, Brexit may be proportioned just as much accountability since many employers worry that it’s going to get more difficult to fill vacancies if the prospect of relocating to the UK becomes less attractive to international candidates.
Source: Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Risk Barometer 2019. Figures represent the number of risks selected as a percentage of all survey responses (216); respondents (187) were able to select up to three risks each.