Zurich Corporate Life & Pensions

At the 2026 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Alison Martin, CEO Life, Health and Bank Distribution at Zurich Insurance Group, moderated a panel discussion on “The Personal Resilience Dividend – Unlocking Wellbeing and Sustainable Growth.” The session brought together business and academic leaders to explore the growing importance of personal resilience in sustaining workforce wellbeing and long‑term business performance.

As societal pressures continue to rise, including economic uncertainty, evolving social safety nets and the accelerating impact of technology and AI, the wellbeing and resilience of individuals has become a critical priority for organisations. The discussion focused on how a holistic, proactive and data‑driven approach to wellbeing can strengthen both people and businesses, and the role leaders play in driving meaningful and lasting change.

The panel speakers were:

• Prof. Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Professor of Economics & Director Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Oxford
• Carolina Granat, Chief Human Resources Officer, ABB
• Aileen Taylor, Group Chief People & Governance Officer, HSBC
• Pat Tomlinson, President and CEO, Mercer, a Marsh business, Marsh

Key takeaways from the session included:

• The growing importance of personal resilience: Rising inequality, cost‑of‑living pressures and uncertainty around the future of work are placing increasing strain on individuals, making resilience a foundational element of workforce wellbeing.
• The link between wellbeing and performance: Research continues to demonstrate a strong connection between employee wellbeing and organisational performance, with resilient workforces supporting productivity and sustainable growth.
• The need for a holistic and proactive approach: Supporting wellbeing requires looking beyond the workplace, recognising the connection between work and personal lives, and acting early through prevention and leadership role modelling.
• Measurement as a driver of impact: Measuring wellbeing and resilience and linking these insights to business performance is essential to elevating the topic on leadership agendas and enabling long‑term positive impact.

At the 2025 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, Wendy Liu CEO Zurich Integrated Benefits & International Life, hosted an inspiring panel discussion on "Living Longer, Working Smarter: Building Resilient Futures Together." The session brought together diverse industry leaders to explore the profound impacts of increased longevity and rapid technological advancements on the workplace and society.

As increased longevity and rapid technological advancements continue to reshape our world, the impact on the workplace and society is profound. The session explored the critical challenges and opportunities posed by these transformative shifts and provided fresh insights on how they can be addressed. The panel speakers were:

• Pat Tomlinson, CEO & President, Mercer Vice Chair, MarshMcLennan
• Tanuj Kapilashrami, Chief Strategy & Talent Officer, Standard Chartered Bank
• Cynthia Hansen, Managing Director, Innovation Foundation of the Adecco Group
• Cara Morton, CEO, Zurich Global Ventures
• Wendy Liu, CEO, Zurich Integrated Benefits & International Life

Key takeaways from the session included:

• Increased Longevity: Innovative solutions for health and wealth are needed to meet the challenges of extended lifespans, emphasizing the need to rethink traditional work patterns and retirement planning.
• Technological Advancements: Rapid technological advancements are transforming how we live and work, necessitating a shift towards personalization, individual empowerment, and continuous learning & upskilling.
• Shifting Dynamics in the Workplace: Flexibility, a growth mindset, and a broadened perspective on talent pools are now imperative, impacting both employees and employers.
• The Link Between Personal and Organizational Resilience: Thriving in a world of increased uncertainty requires resilience. Individual resilience forms the foundation of organizational strength, and the private sector is uniquely positioned to drive positive impacts for both individuals and society.

We have made a strategic investment in Onsi to forge a future-focused partnership in the employee benefits market. Together, we aim to transform employee benefits from traditional protection to a personalized experience that meets the needs of a changing workforce.

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In today’s bustling business world, creating personal and emotional connection is crucial to deepen relationships. That’s why we have embarked on a world tour to directly engage and connect with our customers and partners. These events provide the perfect opportunity to showcase our dedication to innovation, customer focus, and leading the way in the future of benefits.​

In 2024 we welcomed over 400 delegates to four events that brought together employers, brokers, insurers as well as start-ups, NGOs and other thought leaders across the US, Europe and the Middle East.​

Under the inspiring banner of ‘Voices of Tomorrow,’ each event was tailored for its local audience and informed by the Future of Employee Benefits: 2030 report. With a spotlight on Gen Z, we hosted live debates among students and young professionals, and explored themes such as the impact of AI, the push for personalized benefits, as well as the relevance of holistic wellbeing and how benefits can support corporate ESG objectives. Dedicated to a human- centric approach, the events came alive through dynamic debates, innovative human-centred design and thought-provoking behavioural science workshops.​

The tour kicked off in June, in Chicago, focusing on the best practices and emerging trends in captives. This dynamic gathering organized jointly with our CI colleagues brought together industry leaders, professionals, and experts​ in Risk Management, Human Resources, and Captive Solutions to explore developments in the field. With a strong emphasis on human and emerging risks, claims navigation, and future strategies, the event provided valuable insights and opportunities for meaningful connections.​

Building on the momentum from Chicago, we continued with an inspiring event in Paris in September. This gathering brought together a vibrant mix of voices, from employers and Gen Z trailblazers to innovative start-ups and experts in sustainability. The central theme was ‘Empowering Diversity Through Benefits.’ Attendees delved into forward-thinking, human-centric solutions set to redefine​ the future. It wasn’t just a meeting; it was a dynamic exchange where customers and partners shared best practices and sparked collaboration – preparing everyone to face the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and creativity.​

The journey then led us to Frankfurt in October, where we celebrated 10 Years of TEAM® during the Voices of Tomorrow event. This gathering brought together experts in Employee Benefits and Human Resources to discuss​ ‘Benefits that Speak to People.’ The conversations focused on how Employee Benefits can help companies achieve their ESG objectives. One of the highlights was a workshop called “Focusing on People – Understanding Behaviour, Shaping Communication,” led by a behavioural scientist. It was a memorable event, combining insightful discussions with a milestone celebration in a beautiful setting.​

Following our success in Frankfurt, we headed to Dubai. This Voices of Tomorrow event featured lively panel discussions with leaders from Qatar Airways, Aramex, Hilton, Standard Chartered, and Deloitte, focusing on voluntary employee savings schemes and their impact on financial stability and investment management.​

We also unveiled the fourth edition of the local Future of Work 2024 report, highlighting three key pillars for the region: personalization, empowerment, and well-being.​ These elements are crucial for attracting and retaining top talent by tailoring benefits, encouraging career control, and promoting holistic health.​

The event ended with a student debate on AI’s potential and ethical concerns related to job displacement, emphasizing the need for organizations to adapt and respond to employee feedback to meet evolving demands.​

Our employee benefits world tour successfully fostered personal connections and showcased our commitment to innovation and customer focus. By engaging with over 400 delegates across multiple regions, we highlighted the importance of personalized benefits, ESG objectives, and holistic wellbeing. These events not only provided valuable insights but also strengthened our relationships with customers and partners, preparing us to meet future challenges with confidence and creativity.

At the 2024 WEF Annual Meeting in Davos, industry leaders gathered to discuss the changing dynamics of the employee-employer relationship. They emphasized the need for a new social contract between employers and employees, highlighting the opportunity for more productive and engaged workforce, while driving positive societal change. To learn more about this discussion and the future of the employee-employer relationship, click the link below.

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In September 2023 we came together with our customers and partners at the first Integrated Benefits Conference to “Reimagine the future of Employee Benefits”.  Attendees included Human Resource Managers, Employee Benefits specialists, Risk Managers, Providers and Benefits Consultants, as well as a broad range of external stakeholders, including futurists, think tanks, start-ups, activists and employees themselves.

Over two dynamic days, our focus was on expanding our perspective, igniting optimism and empowering ourselves to shape the future positively. We explored the shifting dynamics of employment and workforce needs, considered the growing significance of DE&I, the transformative power of technology and data as well as the profound impact of ESG factors. We also looked at today’s fluid global risk landscape and its impact on benefits and global financing solutions.