LONDON (17 October, 2013) - Aon Global Risk Consulting, the risk management consulting arm of Aon plc (NYSE: AON), has launched the Aon Client Innovation Awards. These aim to showcase innovation and creative thinking in risk management. The company presented the first award at its recent Aon Risk Symposium in London. The winner was the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture.

“Our new award recognises all forms of innovation, from incremental changes through to entirely new ways of managing risk”, says Stephen Cross, Chairman, Aon Centre of Innovation & Analytics. “The Syngenta Foundation has achieved a major innovation in support of sustainable agriculture. Its index insurance protects East African smallholders against the effects of bad weather.”

The weather index insurance is called Kilimo Salama, which means ‘safe farming’ in Swahili. Led by Rose Goslinga, the Kilimo Salama team now offers a range of insurance products to smallholders in Kenya and Rwanda. “By shielding these farmers against problems such as drought, we want to encourage them to invest in their crops and improve their livelihoods. This protection also makes it easier for the farmers to acquire credit from banks”, says Goslinga. ”Our use of automated weather stations and mobile phone technology keeps costs down and makes the insurance affordable for smallholders.”  

Olga Speckhardt, the Syngenta Foundation’s Strategic Advisor on Reinsurance, adds: “We are very honoured to receive this award. Climate change is an increasing issue in Sub-Saharan Africa, with rainfall becoming noticeably more erratic. I am delighted that Aon has recognised Kilimo Salama as a true innovation in a very important area of risk management.”

Stephen Cross says: “At Aon, it is our core belief that risk management can multiply economic and human possibilities. Kilimo Salama is a fine example. We congratulate the Syngenta Foundation on a well-deserved award for great innovation.”

The annual Aon Risk Symposium looks at the latest trends in risk management. The Aon Client Innovation Awards will now form part of this event. Aon clients can submit innovation entries to a jury of senior risk management professionals.  

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About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE:AON) is the leading global provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, and human resources solutions and outsourcing services. Through its more than 65,000 colleagues worldwide, Aon unites to empower results for clients in over 120 countries via innovative and effective risk and people solutions and through industry-leading global resources and technical expertise. Aon has been named repeatedly as the world’s best broker, best insurance intermediary, reinsurance intermediary, captives manager and best employee benefits consulting firm by multiple industry sources. Visit www.aon.com for more information on Aon and www.aon.com/manchesterunited to learn about Aon’s global partnership and shirt sponsorship with Manchester United. Aon GRIP is the company’s Global Risk Insight Platform.

The mission of the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture (SFSA, www.syngentafoundation.org) is to foster innovation and introduce technology and links to markets that help small farmers become more successful growers. Its aim is to improve farmers’ incomes and livelihoods. SFSA works with partners in agriculture in developing countries and emerging markets.  The Foundation takes the lead in facilitating and scaling up approaches that work, and together with its partners develops knowledge and expertise. 

Media Contact:

Sarah Booker
+44(0) 7841 865675
sarah.booker@aon.co.uk