Ken Scaggs, Pittsburgh Market Leader, Aon

In an interview with Invest;, Ken Scaggs, Pittsburgh market leader at Aon, highlighted the firm’s technology investments and efforts to work with local leaders to attract and retain businesses in the region. “We work with city leaders and economic development organizations to champion programs that support business growth and provide insurance solutions that enable innovation without administrative barriers,” Scaggs said.

What changes in the past year have most impacted Aon Pittsburgh and in what ways?

Over the past year, Aon Pittsburgh has experienced significant momentum driven by strategic leadership changes and a renewed focus on growth. With a vacancy in the office, I was asked to step in, assess our talent, and foster a more cohesive, collaborative culture. This transition has set the stage for expansion—we’re actively hiring both sales professionals and account executives to meet increased client demand. Our business pipeline is robust, with a marked uptick in RFPs and a win rate of 65%, which is exceptional given Pittsburgh’s legacy of longstanding client relationships. The team’s ability to drive new business while maintaining trust with established clients reflects our commitment to delivering innovative, client-first solutions.

What is the firm’s approach toward attracting and retaining talent?

Aon’s approach to talent is centered on creating a compelling value proposition for both recruitment and retention. This year, it’s become easier to showcase Aon’s differentiators — most notably, our $1 billion-plus investment in technology and data analytics. As the world’s largest reinsurance broker, our proprietary data and risk analyzer platforms empower clients to make informed decisions and identify vulnerabilities. These innovations set us apart in the marketplace and make Aon an attractive destination for top talent. When recruiting, I highlight our collaborative and supportive culture and the opportunity to work with industry-leading tools and teams around the world. We have fun doing this too! We’re a team of highly trained professionals who love our jobs, our clients and the industry. We prioritize finding the right talent fit because I believe that when our people work well together, we can consistently deliver exceptional results to our clients.

How is the firm tailoring its offerings to suit the needs of the region?

Pittsburgh is undergoing a tech renaissance, and Aon is deeply engaged in supporting this transformation. My role involves partnering with local government and educational institutions to attract and retain businesses, foster startups, and advocate for tax incentives that make Pittsburgh a destination for growth. With some 50-plus colleges and universities producing top talent, our focus is on creating opportunities that keep graduates in the region. Aon is leveraging its data and analytics to design insurance solutions tailored for startups, ensuring they can seamlessly manage risk and focus on scaling their businesses. We work with city leaders and economic development organizations to champion programs that support business growth and provide insurance solutions that enable innovation without administrative barriers.

How is the firm helping businesses understand evolving risk exposures?

Aon’s global network of 60,000 colleagues enables us to deliver insights on emerging risks, best practices, and industry trends. We aggregate data from our client interactions and share actionable intelligence across our client base, helping organizations anticipate and address new exposures. For example, while ESG is now top of mind in Pittsburgh, Aon is prepared to guide clients through these conversations with board-level expertise, drawing on experiences from other markets around the globe. This collaborative approach ensures our clients are equipped to manage evolving risks and drive strategic, informed decision-making.

What macroeconomic trends are of most concern for your clients in the region?

Business leaders in Pittsburgh are closely monitoring several macroeconomic trends that could impact their operations and growth trajectory. One of the primary concerns is the region’s long-term economic viability — companies want assurance that Pittsburgh will remain a competitive hub for business, with reliable infrastructure and continued support from both state and city governments.

Supply chain resilience has become a top priority, especially for organizations with national or global footprints. They are evaluating how disruptions and shifting logistics patterns could affect their ability to operate efficiently from Pittsburgh. Labor market dynamics are also a significant focus, as companies assess the availability and retention of skilled talent in a region known for its educational institutions but facing challenges in keeping graduates local.

Additionally, regulatory changes and tax incentives — particularly those aimed at fostering innovation and supporting startups — are under scrutiny, as businesses weigh the benefits of expanding or relocating within the region. Broader economic factors such as inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainties continue to influence strategic planning, especially for companies with complex supply chains or international exposure.

Overall, clients are seeking guidance on how to navigate these trends, ensuring that their organizations remain resilient and positioned for long-term success in Pittsburgh’s evolving business landscape.

How is the firm integrating new technologies to drive innovation and value for clients?

Aon is making significant investments in new technologies to enhance innovation and deliver greater value to our clients — especially as we expand our reach into the middle-market segment. The recent acquisition of NFP in April 2024 has strengthened our capabilities, allowing us to serve a broader range of businesses with more specialized solutions.

We’re leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics to provide clients with actionable insights that help them manage risk more proactively. Our proprietary AI platforms enable us to deliver tailored information to middle-market clients, who often lack dedicated risk management teams. This means clients receive relevant, timely guidance without being overwhelmed by unnecessary data.

Aon’s technology investments also include risk analyzer platforms, which empower clients to identify vulnerabilities and make informed decisions about their insurance and risk strategies. These tools are designed to be user-friendly and accessible, so clients can focus on growing their businesses while we take care of the complexities of risk management.

Internally, our AI-driven solutions are making our teams more efficient, allowing us to respond faster and with more precision to client needs. By integrating these technologies, Aon is ensuring that clients of all sizes — from startups to global enterprises — benefit from the latest innovations in risk solutions and analytics.

What are the goals for the company in the next few years?

Our ambition is for Aon to become a household name — not just within insurance, but as a trusted partner for businesses and our local communities. We are committed to supporting charitable causes and actively engaging in the communities where our colleagues live and work. Our goal is to deepen relationships beyond transactional insurance, helping clients thrive in all aspects of their business. This community-focused approach, combined with our investments in technology and talent, will drive Aon’s growth and impact in the years ahead. Great things are on the horizon for Aon in Pittsburgh.