Board Role in Risk Oversight
Risk is inherent and evolving in every business,
and how well a business manages risk can ultimately determine its
success. Our risk management program covers the range of material
risks to Aon, including strategic, operational, financial,
compliance, human capital, and social risks. The Board oversees
Aon’s risk management program and allocates certain oversight
responsibilities to its committees and sub-committees, as appropriate. Each
committee regularly reports to the Board on risk matters under its
purview. The Board and its committees periodically review our risk
management policies, processes and controls (including enterprise
risk management, or “ERM”).
Management carries out the daily processes,
controls, and practices of our risk management program, many of
which are embedded in our operations. In addition, as part of our
ERM process, management identifies, assesses, prioritizes, and
develops mitigation plans for Aon’s top risks. The Board believes
that establishing the right tone at the top and maintaining full
and open communication between management and the Board are
essential for effective risk management and oversight. As such, the
Board and the committees regularly analyze and discuss with
management the Company’s risk landscape, ERM governance, and
progress on key risk management priorities. Throughout the year,
the Board and the committees review the Company’s management of
risk, including but not limited to the areas of cyber security and
data security, data privacy, business continuity, compliance with
government regulations, financial performance, liquidity, taxes,
mergers and acquisitions, and human capital management.
Cyber security, data security, and data privacy
matters are an important focus of our Board’s oversight of risk.
The Company’s management regularly presents (no less than twice
annually) to the Audit Committee of the Board and/or the Compliance
Sub-Committee of the Audit
Committee regarding cyber security, data security, and data privacy
matters. Our colleagues are required to complete trainings on at
least an annual basis with respect to privacy and data protection.
For more information on committee and sub-committee responsibilities with
respect to risk oversight, please see the section titled “Board of
Directors and Committees” below. In addition, members of senior
management attend Board and committee meetings (including private
sessions with independent directors when invited) and are available
to address any questions or concerns raised by the Board related to
risk management and any other matters.
Our Board and management recognize that the full
spectrum of ESG risks are evolving in their significance to the
business, and accordingly, oversight of ESG risks is a continuing
and dynamic commitment. The Board (or through its committees)
regularly reviews the Company’s top ESG risks, including human
capital management, where the full Board, the Inclusion &
Diversity Sub-Committee,
the Compensation Committee and the Compliance Sub-Committee oversee the Company’s
management of people-related risks. For more information on Aon’s
ESG efforts, please see our latest Aon Impact Report, which can be
found on the Company’s website, www.aon.com. The information in the
Aon Impact Report is not incorporated by reference into, and does
not form part of, this proxy statement.
Director Independence
Aon’s Governance Guidelines require that a majority
of directors meet the categorical independence standards adopted by
the Board, which will meet or exceed the independence requirements
of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The Governance Guidelines
further provide that each of the Audit Committee,
Governance/Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee be
composed entirely of independent directors.
The Board has affirmatively determined that each
nominee for director other than Mr. Case is independent under
the categorical standards adopted by the Board, applicable legal
requirements, and the rules of the NYSE. Mr. Case is
considered a management director because of his position as our
Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the Board has
affirmatively determined that General Myers, who will retire from
the Board effective as of the Annual Meeting, is independent under
the categorical standards adopted by the Board, applicable legal
requirements, and the rules of the NYSE.
16 2022 Aon Proxy
Statement