Supply chains across industries are facing systemic vulnerabilities driven by geopolitical conflict, shifting trade policy, extreme weather, and surging costs. These pressures are causing cascading challenges that can extend lead times, disrupt operations, and even delay on-time delivery of lifesaving medicine, in the case of life sciences.
Despite nuances in how risks manifest across different industries, having visibility deep into the supply chain is foundational, especially since senior leaders cannot manage what they are unable to see.
In this episode of Risk in Context, James Crask, Marsh’s Global Supply Chain Practice Leader, is joined by Lisa Caldwell, US Manufacturing and Automotive Industry Leader, Joao Buzio, Head of Global Contractors and Infrastructure Development, and Eddie Albers, US Life Sciences Practice Leader. They examine sector-specific drivers, including tariff and logistics volatility, cyber threats, and labour shortages in the automotive manufacturing industry; commodity inflation, labour and contract pressures, and long lead times in construction; and regulatory, cold chain, and outsourcing complexities in life sciences.
They also outline practical strategies to help organisations enhance their supply chains by way of robust data, collaboration, and tailored insurance solutions — to better navigate an increasingly interconnected and volatile supply chain landscape.
Global Supply Chain Practice Leader, Marsh
United Kingdom
Based in London, James is Marsh’s Global Supply Chain Practice Leader. He has extensive experience in delivering business continuity management, crisis management, supply chain, and operational resilience projects across a wide range of industries.
US Manufacturing and Automotive Industry Leader, Marsh Risk
United States
Lisa is the Manufacturing and Automotive Practice Leader for the US. She is responsible for ensuring Marsh’s delivery of world-class risk advisory and transactional services to manufacturing and automotive clients. Her responsibilities include supporting Marsh colleagues across the US who service clients in this industry segment. Duties include building trusted client relationships, delivering industry perspectives to clients, developing marketplace strategies, and crafting solutions for unusual business and insurance risks. She is based in our Tampa, Florida office.
US Life Sciences Practice Leader, Marsh Risk
United States
Eddie is the Managing Director of Marsh’s US Life Sciences Practice. In this role, he advises life sciences clients (pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical devices and equipment, life sciences services, and nutritional products) on risk management strategies. This includes staying abreast of industry specific trends, coordinating industry tailored services, and distributing life sciences risk management best practices for clients. In addition, Eddie is responsible for product innovation that supports the life sciences industry and the overall strategy of the US Life Sciences Practice.
Head of Global Contractors and Infrastructure Development, Marsh Risk
United Kingdom
Joao is currently Head of Global Contractor and Infrastructure Development at Marsh Specialty. With 20 years of experience in the construction sector, Joao is experienced in advising contractors and project teams in responding to their day-to-day and emerging risk management needs. Joao’s career started in 2004 through the Graduate Programme of Willis UK and its construction division working on projects around the globe for European contractors over that time. In 2016, Joao was hired by Marsh as Regional Construction Leader for Marsh Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) working with specialists in the region and in London to develop risk transfer and risk management solutions for construction projects, a position that Joao held for eight years.
