Aon fortifies reputational risk analytics capabilities

Aon has announced that it has acquired data and analytics capabilities for reputational risk from Pentland Analytics, a provider of analytics and advisory services. The transaction includes Pentland’s reputation crisis database, proprietary modelling algorithms and a cloud-based web app for clients.

The reputation crisis database is the leading global authority on the effect of sudden and unexpected events on shareholder value, Aon said. It includes data on 340 corporate events spanning the last 40 years, across all regions of the world and all major industries.

“In our highly volatile world, organisations are increasingly exposed to the impact crises have on reputation and shareholder value,” said Richard Waterer, global risk consulting leader for Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon. “This acquisition builds on our previous work with Pentland to bring our clients insights and tools to better understand and prepare for the impact of reputational crises on shareholder value.”

For the last several years, businesses have identified “damage to reputation” as one of their top risks in Aon’s Global Risk Management Survey.

Aon and Pentland Analytics have collaborated since 2017 to produce independent, universal and industry-specific research focused on why some organisations weather crises and emerge stronger while others do not. The research led to industry-specific reports on what makes businesses within certain sectors more resilient – including aviation and marine, energy, financial institutions, food, agribusiness and beverage, life sciences, technology, and the challenges presented by cyber risk.

“Aon and Pentland have a shared interest in understanding reputational crises to help organisations address and mitigate related risks,” said Dr. Deborah Pretty, founder of Pentland Analytics. “This acquisition is an exciting evolution of our relationship. Under Aon’s stewardship, multinational firms around the world will continue to receive insights and analytics on share price performance following reputational crises, and advice on how to drive favourable outcomes.”

Pretty will serve as a consultant to Aon during the transition of the acquired assets while continuing to operate Pentland Analytics.