Global Chit Chat

The number of companies funding global employee benefits via a captive has increased over 400% in past 20 years.  While the traditional captive program was seen as a solution for only the largest multinationals, Aon’s cell captive innovation allows companies with much smaller global footprints to leverage.Introduced in 2025, Aon’s cell captive provides quick access to a captive infrastructure, while offering greater flexibility on local fronting insurance partners across the world.  Two of Aon’s leading experts on global benefits financing and captive solutions share their views on the current market, and why the cell captive has become a popular alternative funding platform.

Learn how companies can leverage two critical thought leadership studies by Aon to develop more effective global benefit strategies.

Why do some people manage their money efficiently, while others struggle to spend less than they make?  And how can a global benefits leader make a positive impact on money habits to increase the financial wellbeing for thousands of employees across different countries and cultures?  Listen to Gerry Winters, Sasha Francis and Aon's Global Financial Wellbeing leader Paul Gordon explore the challenges that multinational companies face in bringing greater financial wellness to employees, and how market leading companies have organized to achieve greater outcomes for global employee populations.

Francis, Alex and guest Kari Hakanen discuss the benefits landscape in mainland China. Listen to learn more about the differences between various cities and provinces, traditional supplemental benefits, impact of legislative changes and other current issues, trends like housing funds and education benefits, and most importantly how leading employers are solving the challenges to attract and retain talent. Of course, the Podcast would not be complete without a few fun facts.

Learn about employee benefits in Singapore in this 16th episode of Global Chit Chat. Alex, Leticia, and guest Han Wei Fong discuss the benefits landscape in Singapore, including current issues, changing employee expectations around wellbeing, mental health, and diversity as well as the challenges employers are facing to adapt to this dynamic market. With an aging population and rising inflation, find out more about how employers are mitigating short- and long-term cost impacts. Of course, they also share some fun facts!

Francis, Alex and guest Maikel van der Breggen discuss multinational pooling: what it is, how it works, the advantages and disadvantages, and how to get started. They also discuss what to look out for if pools have been in place for a while.Of course, the podcast would not be complete without various fun - or not so fun - facts about the topic.

Leticia, Alex and guest Kathryn Davis discuss how to make better employee benefits decisions globally by identifying, capturing and analyzing the right data elements to support the execution of a sound global benefits strategy. Of course, the podcast would not be complete without various fun data facts.

Learn about employee benefits in Argentina in our 13th episode of Global Chit Chat. Leticia, Alex and guest Martin Calatayud discuss how hyper-inflation is affecting the employee benefits landscape in Argentina and the challenges employers face when offering benefits in this economic environment. They also provide some useful tips on dealing with health providers in the market. Of course, the Podcast would not be complete without a few fun facts.

Learn about employee benefits in the UK in this 12th episode of Global Chit Chat.  Francis, Alex, and guest Helen Payne discuss the benefits landscape in the UK, including current issues, changing employee expectations around cost of living, wellbeing and diversity, what employers are doing to support those changing needs, and what the most innovative organizations are doing. Of course, they also share some fun facts!

Learn about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in this 11th episode of Global Chit Chat.  Leticia, Alex, and guest Rafeena Ally discuss why DE&I is such a hot topic today, what are some of the advantages and challenges employers face when developing a DEI strategy, and what employers should consider when developing programs that support the needs of a diverse and inclusive workforce.  Because DE&I is such a multifaceted subject, in this episode they also discuss a few of the lesser known drivers of DEI programs as well as some facts and statistics to help frame the discussion.  

Learn about employee benefits in Japan in this 10th episode of Global Chit Chat.  Leticia, Francis, and guest Callum Jones discuss the benefits landscape in Japan, including what employers need to know, the challenges associated with a rapidly aging population and how the government an companies are responding to it, health insurance associations, and some tips about how to conduct business in Japan. Of course, they also share some fun facts!

In this episode, Sarah, Francis and guest Dany Mathieu shed light on the value, uses and challenges of a Captive.  What is a Captive and when should you consider establishing one?  What types of risks can be insured under a captive and when does it make sense to include Employee Benefits?  What are some of the advantages, risks and complexities of setting up a captive? How can captives support employer ESG and DE&I initiatives? Of course, they also share some fun facts! 

Learn about employee benefits in Israel in this 8th episode of Global Chit Chat.  Francis, Leticia, and guest Elana discuss the Israeli benefits landscape including the challenges faced by multinationals, agents and HR consultants and other players in the market, and unique benefits you should know. Of course, they also share some fun facts!

Learn about employee benefits in Canada in this 7th episode of Global Chit Chat.  Leticia, Francis and guest Alex discuss the Canadian benefits landscape including the social system, latest happenings in the benefits market that surprise employers, and challenges employers face when providing supplemental benefits. Alex also explains top triggers of health cost increases, what employers are doing to mitigate these increases, latest benefit trends and the future of the employer value proposition.  Of course, they also share some fun facts!

Learn about the do’s and don’ts of managing your globally mobile employees (GMEs).  Leticia, Francis and guest Melissa Rannels discuss several aspects of this particular type of employees: different categories of GMEs, when to engage an expert to manage the benefits and what it means, the implications of localizing benefits for expats, the importance of compliance and how international medical plans support GMEs.  Of course, they also share some fun facts!

Learn about employee benefits in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in episode 5 of Global Chit Chat.  Francis, Sarah and guest, Rollen, discuss the main benefit topics that companies in the UAE are currently concerned about: enhancements in healthcare infrastructure and medical tourism, changes in benefits design and increased demand for innovative services such as telemedicine, how employers are reacting to the escalating cost of medical benefits, mental wellbeing, and amended labor laws.  Of course, they also share some fun facts about the UAE!

Learn about employee benefits in India in this fourth episode of Global Chit Chat.  Francis, Sarah and guest Meenal discuss the main benefit topics that companies in India are currently concerned about: covid-19 and how it impacted the benefit landscape in India, the dynamic small employer segment, and key benefit trends experienced by larger employers.  Of course, they also share some fun facts about India!

Learn about the drivers of the escalating costs of medical plans across the world in this third episode of Global Chit Chat.  Leticia, Sarah and guest Rui discuss the main takeaways from our latest Global Medical Trend Report, the factors driving the continued cost increase and what employers are doing to mitigate these factors across the various regions.  Of course, they also share some interesting findings!

Learn about employee benefits in France in this second episode of Global Chit Chat.  Francis, Leticia and guest, Assia, discuss the main benefit topics that companies in France are currently concerned about: Covid-19 and how it impacted France, experience of policies, the role of the works council, and potential retirement reforms.  Of course, they also share some fun facts about France!

Learn about employee benefits in Brazil in this first episode of Global Chit Chat.  Francis, Sarah and Leticia discuss the main benefits provided by multinational companies to their employees in order to be compliant and competitive.  They also share some fun facts about Brazil and there is a special giveaway at the end of the episode!