Even before the advent of Covid-19, insolvency-related D&O claims already made up a large part of the management risk landscape.

Corporate insolvencies are on the rise. 2019 saw the highest level of underlying insolvencies since 2013, with the retail, hospitality and construction industries particularly affected. As the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic further increases the risk that companies will run into financial difficulties, insolvency can only continue to make up a large source of directors’ and officers’ (D&O) claims.

As the prevalence of COVID-19 continues to grow worldwide, together with the resulting social and business restrictions, the inevitable fallout will be a failure to achieve business plans and an increase in business insolvencies.

The UK Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, stated whilst unveiling recent plans for a £330bn economic boost in light of the pandemic, “this is an economic emergency. Never in peacetime have we faced an economic fight like this one".