As a specialist insurer focused on business property and interruption risks, FM places research and engineering at the heart of its operations — generating unique insights into risks and how to prevent them. The strategic research partnership between FM and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), signed on 10 June 2025, aims to better understand the chain reactions caused by business interruptions and to translate scientific research into practical solutions. The partnership brings together FM’s expertise in commercial property insurance and LIST’s cutting-edge research in cybersecurity, digital twins, Earth observation and artificial intelligence.
Luxembourg centre of expertise
The signature of the partnership with LIST follows the commencement of construction of FM’s new science and technology centre in Luxembourg in March 2025. This scientific research facility will focus on risk management and risk mitigation innovation.
The collaboration with LIST is part of FM’s broader strategy to engage leading research organisations across Europe and around the world to build a global network of partners that accelerates innovation.
The proximity to the relevant research expertise of LIST was one of the reasons why the US insurer took the decision to locate its research centre in Luxembourg. The two partners will now work together to tackle challenges related to climate and cyber in order to help companies stay resilient in the face of disruption.
“The collaboration with LIST is part of FM’s broader strategy to engage leading research organisations across Europe and around the world to build a global network of partners that accelerates innovation, deepens scientific insight and strengthens our ability to help clients navigate evolving risks,” stated Sandor Becz, Staff Senior Vice President, Research at FM.
Climate and cyber risk flagship projects
The partnership initially focuses on two key research projects. The first one centres on business interruptions caused by climate incidents, primarily flood and wildfire risks. LIST will develop a digital twin platform — a dynamic virtual replica of landscapes in Europe and beyond — capable of integrating FM climate models to simulate extreme weather events and their cascading effects on infrastructure and business continuity. The platform will trace how a hazard like a flooded road network can block supply chains and grind operations to a halt. Using real-time data and AI-powered models, the system will offer decision-makers predictive insights and clear visual dashboards to act before disaster strikes.
The second project addresses the protection of digital infrastructure, which is both a critical asset and a growing vulnerability. The project will model attack pathways and simulate digital intrusions to better understand how cyber incidents ripple through complex systems. The projected result will be sharper threat anticipation, faster recovery and smarter mitigation strategies tailored to real business environments.
This collaboration perfectly illustrates LIST’s mission: connecting deep tech research with industrial reality.
“This collaboration perfectly illustrates LIST’s mission: connecting deep tech research with industrial reality,” said Jurgen Joossens, CEO a.i. of LIST. “We’re proud to partner with FM to co-develop tools that can truly improve business resilience — not only in Luxembourg, but across Europe and beyond.”
Powerful synergies
LIST has an extensive track record of private sector partnership and focuses its research on solutions that respond to real-world needs.
“With its commitment to science and research, and mission of developing innovative solutions for the public and private sectors, LIST is a perfect partner for FM,” said Mr Becz. “We share LIST’s belief in the power of scientific exploration, and we are excited about what we can accomplish together through this strategic partnership.”
By successfully attracting FM to develop its European activities out of Luxembourg, we have laid the foundation for a strategic partnership that will significantly reinforce the resilience of both the national and European industrial landscape.
The synergies created are also valuable for innovation in Luxembourg. “Today’s partnership between LIST and FM is a powerful demonstration of the attractiveness and maturity of Luxembourg’s national innovation system,” commented Mario Grotz, CEO of Luxinnovation, the national innovation agency. “The activities of FM are a perfect fit with Luxembourg’s national priorities, spaning finance, cyber and space, and powered by AI. By successfully attracting FM to develop its European activities out of Luxembourg, we have not only welcomed one of the world’s leading insurance companies, but also laid the foundation for a strategic partnership that will significantly reinforce the resilience of both the national and European industrial landscape.”
Photo credits: LIST