It’s a heavyweight document and I recommend, if you worry excessively, not to read it! What’s interesting to me is the different risk perception spelt out across the age demographic, different locations and different industries. As a headline though, the three main risks identified for the next five years are global conflicts (heaven forbid), extreme weather events and geoeconomic confrontations.

All three have been making headlines recently with the wars in Ukraine still raging (but as I type, peace talks beginning?) and an uneasy ceasefire in place in the Middle East, the California wildfires and President Trumps implementation of tariffs and threats of more to come. It feels as though world events have never been developing and changing so quickly.

The WEF report also issue an “Actions for Today” one of which is to diversify supply chains which would certainly help to lessen the risks spelled out above. The question is, where can you diversify it to? We’re certainly in for some interesting times and we may see countries looking to become protectionist and grow what they need rather than rely on trade. Self-sufficiency certainly sounds idyllic for domestic economies and the planet – but the world has moved on significantly since all developed economies were capable of “grow your own”.

On the subject of trade, we welcome the news that the UK and India will once again sit down to discuss a Free Trade Agreement later this month. Since the 13th round of talks ended this time last year, the UK has welcomed a new Government and perhaps this one will finally see a deal over the line. India is also in talks with the EU on an FTA and is certainly looking like the place to be and an agreeable alternative to China. Our own Indian services continue to go from strength to strength. As well consignments between the UK to India, we’ve also recently moved a project from India to Mauritius! To find out more about our Indian services, visit

View our India Service

As the old adage goes, you can only control what you can control. If you’d like to discuss opportunities coming your way and need some help to unlock them, give me a call or speak to your Espace account manager. As ever, we’re here to help.

Have a good month!