AON Consulting: A Comprehensive Interview Preparation Guide to Success

Aon Consulting is a leading global professional services firm that helps clients make better decisions on risk, capital, and human capital. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and listed on the NYSE under the ticker AON, the company operates through integrated solution lines in Commercial Risk, Reinsurance, Health, and Wealth. Aon serves clients in more than 120 countries and territories with a workforce of over 50,000 colleagues, combining advisory expertise with advanced analytics and technology platforms to address volatility and improve performance.

The firm is known for its one‑firm “Aon United” approach and a stated purpose to shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. With deep capabilities in insurance and reinsurance broking, cyber and specialty risk, employee health and benefits, retirement and investment consulting, and capital advisory, Aon’s consulting practice is differentiated by its global scale, data‑driven insights, and cross‑disciplinary collaboration that supports clients across industries.

This comprehensive guide provides essential insights into AON Consulting's operations, culture, and recruitment process, equipping readers with the knowledge needed to excel in interviews and understand the company's strategic direction.

1. Company Overview

About AON Consulting

Aon’s consulting practice sits within Aon plc, a global professional services firm that advises organizations on risk, reinsurance, health, and wealth. Its consultants combine market-leading data and analytics with domain expertise to help clients manage volatility, optimize benefits and retirement programs, improve workforce outcomes, and structure efficient risk transfer and capital solutions.

Operating as one firm across more than 120 countries and territories, Aon partners with corporates, insurers, reinsurers, and public institutions, leveraging scale, specialized expertise, and a unified “Aon United” approach to deliver measurable outcomes.

Company History

Trace AON Consulting's evolution through key periods, highlighting major transformations and growth phases.

• 1982: Founded in Chicago by Patrick Ryan and W. Clement Stone through the merger of Ryan Insurance Group and Combined International Corporation.
• 1984: Aon became a publicly traded company, supporting its global expansion strategy.
• 1987: The firm was renamed Aon Corporation, creating a unified global brand.
• 1990s: Rapid expansion through major acquisitions including Miller, Mason & Dickenson and Alexander & Alexander.
• 1995: Shifted strategic focus toward consulting after selling remaining direct life insurance holdings.
• 2001: Announced plans to divest its underwriting unit to concentrate on brokerage and consulting services.
• 2010: Acquired Hewitt Associates for $4.9 billion, forming Aon Hewitt and strengthening human capital consulting.
• 2012: Relocated global headquarters to London, reflecting its international footprint.
• 2017–2020: Rebranded Aon Hewitt back to Aon to emphasize a unified, data-driven approach to risk and people.
• 2024–2025: Continued growth through acquisitions such as NFP, expanding capabilities in risk, wealth, and consulting services

Key Milestones in AON Consulting History

Critical achievements that shaped AON Consulting's trajectory and market position.

2. Mission, Vision, and Values

Core principles and strategic direction sourced directly from AON Consulting's official website.

Core Values

AON Consulting's corporate values as officially listed on its website.

• We’re United – We work as one inclusive and trusted team, demonstrating collaboration, integrity, and respect while creating a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.
• We’re Committed – We are dedicated to our purpose, shaping better decisions, delivering innovative solutions, and achieving positive outcomes for clients, colleagues, shareholders, and society.
• We’re Passionate – We are driven by curiosity and innovation, celebrating success and going beyond expectations to help our colleagues and clients achieve their goals.

3. Comprehensive Product and Service Offerings

Aon organizes its capabilities into four global solution lines: Commercial Risk, Reinsurance, Health, and Wealth. Its consulting and broking teams use data and analytics to help clients quantify risk, optimize benefits and retirement outcomes, improve capital efficiency, and execute risk transfer strategies in global markets.

1. Commercial Risk Solutions

Aon’s Commercial Risk Solutions advises organizations on identifying, quantifying, and transferring risk, delivering brokerage, risk consulting, and analytics to improve resilience and reduce total cost of risk.

• Risk Consulting (including ERM and Captive Solutions): Advisory services spanning enterprise risk management, captive feasibility and management, and loss prevention to enhance risk financing strategies and governance.
• Cyber Risk and Insurance Broking: Specialized assessment and placement for cyber exposures, leveraging incident data, scenario modeling, and market access to structure effective cyber insurance programs.
• Specialty Broking (e.g., Financial Lines, Marine, Energy): Sector-focused expertise and placement in complex specialty classes to address high-severity and regulated risks across global markets.

2. Reinsurance Solutions

Aon’s Reinsurance Solutions provides treaty and facultative reinsurance broking, capital advisory, and analytics to help insurers and reinsurers manage volatility, optimize capital, and enable profitable growth.

• Treaty Reinsurance: Program design and placement across property, casualty, and specialty lines to transfer portfolio risk and stabilize earnings.
• Facultative Reinsurance: Transaction-level reinsurance solutions for complex or large individual risks to supplement treaty arrangements and expand underwriting capacity.
• Capital Advisory and Alternative Capital: Advisory on capital efficiency and access to insurance-linked securities and other alternative capital to diversify capacity and manage peak risks.

3. Health Solutions

Aon’s Health Solutions advises employers on health and benefits strategy, broking, and analytics to improve cost, quality, and experience for employees and dependents.

• Health & Benefits Brokerage and Consulting: Market placement and advisory for medical, life, disability, and supplemental benefits, aligning plan design and funding with workforce and business goals.
• Pharmacy Consulting: Analytics-driven formulary, vendor, and contract strategies to optimize pharmacy spend and clinical outcomes.
• Wellbeing and Health Analytics: Data-driven insights on population health, utilization, and risk to inform targeted wellbeing programs and vendor strategies.

4. Wealth Solutions

Aon’s Wealth Solutions supports retirement and investment outcomes through actuarial consulting, fiduciary and delegated investment solutions, and risk management for pension plans and institutional investors.

• Retirement Consulting (Actuarial and Plan Strategy): Advice on plan design, funding, de-risking, and regulatory compliance for defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
• Investment Consulting and Delegated Solutions (OCIO): Manager research, portfolio construction, and delegated fiduciary services to improve risk-adjusted returns and governance effectiveness.
• Pension Risk Transfer and Risk Settlement: Strategy and execution support for buy-ins, buyouts, and longevity risk solutions to reduce balance sheet volatility.

4. Financial Performance Highlights

Stock Performance

As part of a global professional services firm in the Financials sector, the shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and have recently reflected steady investor focus on organic growth across risk and health solutions, margin expansion initiatives, and consistent capital returns through share repurchases.

Over the past year, performance has generally moved in line with major insurance brokerage peers, reacting to quarterly results, insurance pricing cycles, and macro drivers such as interest-rate expectations. These dynamics point to resilient cash generation, diversified fee-based revenues, and a strategy focused on scaling advisory and brokerage capabilities for durable long-term growth.

Financial Metrics Table

Investors typically track revenue and organic growth by segment, operating and net profit margins, return on equity and return on invested capital, free cash flow and conversion, leverage metrics, and share count changes from repurchases. Trends in these indicators help assess pricing power in brokerage, the effectiveness of efficiency programs, and the capacity to fund M&A and ongoing buybacks while maintaining a disciplined balance sheet.

5. Key Competitors of AON Consulting:

In the risk, brokerage, and human capital consulting markets, AON Consulting competes directly with Marsh McLennan, Willis Towers Watson, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., Mercer, and Lockton Companies. These firms challenge AON Consulting on large-account insurance broking, reinsurance advisory, employee benefits and HR consulting, data/analytics capabilities, and global client coverage.

1. Marsh McLennan

A global professional services firm in risk, strategy, and people.

• Overview: Parent company of Marsh (insurance broking), Guy Carpenter (reinsurance), Mercer (HR consulting), and Oliver Wyman (management consulting).
• Services: Insurance and risk broking, reinsurance broking, employee benefits and HR consulting, strategy and management consulting.
• Market Position: The largest global insurance broker by revenue with significant scale in human capital consulting via Mercer.

2. Willis Towers Watson (WTW)

A global advisory, broking, and solutions company serving corporates and institutions.

• Overview: Operates across Risk & Broking and Health, Wealth & Career businesses, combining insurance brokerage with HR and benefits advisory.
• Services: Property/casualty and specialty broking, benefits and retirement consulting, actuarial and investment advisory, data and analytics.
• Market Position: A top-tier global competitor in both insurance broking and human capital consulting.

3. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Gallagher)

An international insurance brokerage, risk management, and consulting firm.

• Overview: Operates brokerage and risk management (Gallagher Bassett) businesses, with a growing employee benefits consulting practice.
• Services: Commercial insurance broking, employee benefits and HR consulting, third‑party claims administration and risk services.
• Market Position: One of the largest global brokers, with strong presence in middle‑market brokerage and benefits.

4. Mercer

A leading global human resources consultancy within Marsh McLennan focused on health, wealth, and career.

• Overview: Advises employers on benefits, retirement, investments, compensation, and workforce strategy.
• Services: Employee benefits and health consulting, retirement and investment consulting, talent and workforce advisory, outsourced solutions.
• Market Position: A top HR and benefits advisor that competes directly in health and wealth consulting.

5. Lockton Companies

The world’s largest privately held insurance brokerage and consulting firm.

• Overview: Privately owned global broker serving commercial clients across industries with risk and benefits solutions.
• Services: Commercial insurance and risk management, employee benefits consulting, retirement services, and specialty lines.
• Market Position: A major global competitor known for client service and private ownership, with meaningful scale in brokerage and benefits.

6. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

AON Consulting demonstrates its commitment to social impact through comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility programs. The company's initiatives span environmental sustainability, community development, education, and social welfare, reflecting its dedication to creating positive change beyond business operations.

7. Career Opportunities at AON Consulting

AON Consulting offers diverse career paths across its global operations, providing opportunities for professionals at various stages of their careers. The company's commitment to talent development and inclusive growth creates an environment where individuals can build meaningful and impactful careers.

Job Profiles and Departments

Explore the wide range of professional opportunities available across AON Consulting's organizational structure:

• Commercial Risk Consulting & Broking: Advises clients on risk identification, quantification, transfer, and mitigation across property, casualty, specialty, and enterprise risk. Responsibilities include client leadership, market placement, exposure analytics, and claims advocacy. Skills: relationship management, negotiation, technical insurance knowledge, and data-driven decision-making. Career paths progress from analyst/associate to broker/consultant, senior consultant, client leader, and practice leadership.
• Reinsurance Solutions (Broking & Analytics): Designs and places treaty and facultative reinsurance programs, supported by catastrophe modeling, capital modeling, and portfolio analytics. Roles span reinsurance broking, catastrophe modeling (Impact Forecasting models), actuaries, and capital advisors. Skills: statistics, actuarial science, programming (e.g., Python/R), and market insight. Growth from analyst to broker/actuary, senior specialist, and regional/global specialty leadership.
• Health Solutions (Benefits Consulting): Consults on employee health and benefits, including plan design, vendor selection, underwriting, wellbeing strategy, and compliance. Positions include health actuaries, analysts, benefits consultants, and placement specialists. Skills: healthcare analytics, financial modeling, regulatory understanding, and stakeholder engagement. Career progression from analyst to consultant, senior consultant, and practice/segment leadership.
• Wealth (Retirement & Investment Consulting): Advises on pension strategy, plan design and funding, ALM, investment policy, OCIO oversight, and governance. Roles include retirement actuaries, investment consultants, and portfolio researchers. Skills: actuarial/financial modeling, asset-liability analysis, and capital markets knowledge. Progression pathways include analyst to consultant, senior consultant, and advisory leadership across retirement and investment disciplines.
• Cyber Solutions & Advisory: Supports clients with cyber risk quantification, security advisory, incident response readiness, and cyber insurance placement. Responsibilities include threat-informed assessments, control benchmarking, and resilience program design. Skills: cyber frameworks (e.g., NIST), incident response, risk quantification, and communication with technical and executive audiences. Career growth from analyst/consultant to senior advisor and practice lead.
• Data, Analytics & Aon Business Services (Technology & Operations): Builds and scales digital platforms, shared services, and analytics capabilities that power client solutions. Roles include data scientists, software engineers, product managers, process excellence, and operations. Skills: cloud/data engineering, ML, process automation, and product delivery. Career tracks progress from analyst/engineer to senior specialist, product/operations leadership, and platform leadership.

Growth and Development Opportunities

AON Consulting invests significantly in employee development through structured programs and initiatives:

• Early Careers pathways: Structured internships, graduate programs, and apprenticeships provide foundational training, rotations across solution lines, and mentorship from experienced leaders. Participants gain exposure to client work, technical certifications, and core consulting skills with clear conversion paths to full-time roles.
• Leadership development: Role-based curricula cultivate client leadership, people leadership, and business leadership aligned to the Aon United model. Programs emphasize consultative problem-solving, inclusive leadership, and commercial acumen, with access to manager toolkits, coaching, and enterprise leadership learning.
• Global mobility and cross-functional exposure: As a global firm operating in more than 120 countries and territories, colleagues can pursue international assignments, client engagements across regions, and cross-solution projects (Risk, Reinsurance, Health, Wealth) to broaden experience and build domain depth.
• Innovation and analytics enablement: Colleagues leverage proprietary platforms and models including catastrophe modeling (Impact Forecasting), cyber risk quantification, and rewards/benefits benchmarking supported by continuous improvement and digital tooling through Aon Business Services.
• Diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing: Enterprise DE&I programs, colleague resource groups, exam and certification support (e.g., actuarial, CFA), and Aon’s Smart Working model enable flexibility, career sustainability, and equitable access to opportunities and benefits.

8. Future Outlook and Strategic Plans

This section presents AON Consulting's official strategic direction based on investor presentations, press releases, and sustainability reports. All information is sourced from verified company communications and reflects confirmed initiatives and goals.

AON Consulting's future strategy is structured around key focus areas designed to align with global market trends and industry evolution:

1. Digital platforms, data and analytics at scale

AON Consulting continues to advance a firmwide digital operating model that connects solutions across Risk Capital and Human Capital. The strategy centers on Aon Business Services standardizing processes, digitizing workflows, and unifying data so client teams can deliver faster insights, consistent quality, and differentiated outcomes.

Investments focus on proprietary analytics (e.g., catastrophe and capital modeling, cyber risk quantification, health and rewards benchmarking), modern data platforms, and automation that improve placement, advisory, and claims experiences. This pillar also prioritizes interoperability across internal platforms and partner ecosystems to enhance speed to market and unlock new products for the middle market and large, complex clients.

• Scaling Aon Business Services to digitize core placement, analytics, and service workflows for consistent client delivery globally.
• Ongoing enhancement of proprietary analytics platforms such as Impact Forecasting catastrophe models and cyber risk quantification tools.
• Announced agreement to acquire NFP to broaden middle-market distribution and integrate capabilities onto Aon’s platforms, subject to required approvals.
• Key performance indicators tracked include organic revenue growth, adjusted operating margin, and free cash flow as disclosed in earnings materials.

2. Sustainability and ESG integration

The firm’s sustainability agenda integrates environmental stewardship, resilient operations, responsible value chain practices, and inclusive people strategies. Climate considerations are embedded into client solutions such as climate risk analytics and resilience alongside operational efforts to lower emissions from real estate, travel, and technology.

Governance includes Board-level oversight of ESG priorities and transparent reporting aligned to leading frameworks. The approach emphasizes measurable progress, supplier engagement, and enabling clients and communities to make better decisions that protect and grow their businesses amid climate and social risk.

• TCFD-aligned climate disclosures and climate risk assessment integrated into annual ESG/impact reporting.
• Programs to reduce operational emissions via office energy efficiency, smart working practices, and renewable electricity procurement where available.

3. Market expansion and client portfolio growth

AON Consulting plans to expand its presence and relevance across client segments and geographies by deepening specialty capabilities and scaling in the middle market. The firm is focused on growth across North America, EMEA, and high-growth regions in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, while advancing cross-sell opportunities across Commercial Risk, Reinsurance, Health, and Wealth. Strategic M&A and partnerships are used to add capabilities and distribution where they strengthen the Aon United platform and accelerate client impact.

• Agreement to acquire NFP to enhance middle-market reach in the U.S. and Canada, subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions.
• Selective tuck-in acquisitions and capability partnerships to deepen specialty offerings and analytics.
• Targeted growth in SMEs and the middle market through digital distribution and enhanced broker enablement.

4. Innovation and proprietary solution development

Innovation is anchored in building and refining proprietary models, datasets, and software that improve client decisions on risk, capital, health, and wealth. Priority areas include catastrophe and climate modeling, cyber risk quantification and resilience, health and benefits analytics, and rewards/compensation benchmarking. Product roadmaps emphasize accuracy, explainability, and speed supported by cloud-native engineering and secure data governance to enable scalable delivery through client-facing platforms and broker tools.

• Continued investment in Impact Forecasting and related analytics to enhance peril coverage and model fidelity.
• Regular model releases and service enhancements to support underwriting, pricing, and capital optimization for clients.
• Collaboration with clients and market partners to co-develop analytics that address emerging risks (e.g., climate, cyber).
• Expansion of proprietary intellectual property through models, datasets, and software platforms.

5. Talent, inclusion, and workforce enablement

Human capital strategy focuses on attracting and developing diverse talent, enabling colleagues with modern tools and learning, and fostering an inclusive culture aligned to Aon United. The firm invests in early-career pipelines, technical upskilling (actuarial, analytics, cyber, and technology), and leadership development while supporting flexible work through Smart Working. Colleague resource groups and equitable processes support representation and advancement across levels and regions.

• Hiring focused on analytics, broking, cyber, technology, and actuarial roles across global hubs.
• Enterprise DE&I programs and colleague business resource groups to strengthen representation and inclusion.
• Professional certification support (e.g., actuarial exams, CFA) and curated learning paths for role-based skills.
• Smart Working and international mobility frameworks to access global talent and client opportunities.

6. Financial discipline and shareholder value

AON Consulting emphasizes sustained organic revenue growth, margin expansion through platform efficiency, and disciplined capital allocation. Investment prioritizes scalable platforms (Aon Business Services), data and analytics, and capability-enhancing M&A. The firm consistently returns capital to shareholders while maintaining flexibility for strategic investments and preserving balance sheet strength.

• Focus on consistent organic revenue growth and continued operating margin improvement, as communicated in earnings materials.
• Investment priorities include digital platforms, analytics, and cyber capabilities that enhance long-term growth.
• Ongoing share repurchase program and a regular quarterly dividend, each subject to Board approval and market conditions.
• Productivity and cost optimization through standardization and automation on Aon Business Services.

9. Latest News & Updates about AON Consulting

Stay informed about AON Consulting's recent developments, announcements, and industry recognition through curated news coverage.

10. Conclusion

AON Consulting is a global professional services leader helping clients make better decisions on risk, capital, health, and wealth. Its solutions span Commercial Risk, Reinsurance, Health, and Wealth, delivered through a unified operating model and powered by Aon Business Services and proprietary analytics.

The firm’s strategy emphasizes digital platforms, innovation in catastrophe and cyber modeling, and disciplined capital allocation, while integrating sustainability and inclusive people practices. With a global footprint and deep specialty expertise, AON Consulting holds a distinctive position in the industry and is well placed to address emerging risks and client needs in the years ahead.

For candidates, AON Consulting offers meaningful work, clear career paths, and continuous learning across consulting, broking, analytics, cyber, and technology. Early-career and experienced professionals benefit from mentorship, leadership development, professional certification support, and international exposure. A collaborative culture, Smart Working flexibility, and inclusive programs enable colleagues to grow while delivering measurable outcomes for clients. Those who bring analytical rigor, client focus, and a growth mindset will find strong opportunities to build long-term, impactful careers at AON Consulting.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring AON Consulting Candidates

• Research and Preparation: Thoroughly understand AON Consulting's business model, recent developments, and strategic initiatives. Stay updated on industry trends and the company's competitive positioning to demonstrate genuine interest and knowledge during interviews.
• Cultural Alignment: Familiarize yourself with AON Consulting's values, mission, and corporate culture. Prepare examples from your experience that demonstrate alignment with these principles and showcase how you can contribute to the company's objectives.
• Technical Competency: Develop relevant skills and knowledge specific to your target role at AON Consulting. Understand the technical requirements and industry standards that apply to your area of interest within the organization.
• Industry Awareness: Stay informed about broader industry trends, challenges, and opportunities that affect AON Consulting's business. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful discussions about the company's strategic direction and market position.