8 crossroads magazine Luxembourg likes to say it makes things possible. FM, the mutual insurer known for turning physics into practical risk reduction, has decided to make a lot happen in the small country: a European Science & Technology Centre, a growing research team and partnerships that directly plug into the country’s in- novation engine. Ground broken in March 2025, the centre will anchor work on climate hazards, indus- trial technologies and cyber for companies across Europe. “FM is a specialty company,” says Chief Science Of- ficer Louis A. Gritzo (in the picture). “We specialise in commercial and industrial properties. We’re an en- gineering-based, site-specific underwriter that uses science to inform our engineering and works with clients to reduce their risk.” In other words, FM’s researchers understand hazard and develop solutions and FM engineers assess sites, and provide risk reduction solutions. FM then insures the site for the remaining risk. That model shaped the European location search. “Initially, I assumed that Luxembourg was just a for- mality on our shortlist – we expected to choose a larger country like France, Germany or the Netherlands,” Mr Gritzo admits. But a visit hosted by Luxinnovation, the national innovation agency, changed minds: “We were able to talk to key senior government officials and re- search decision makers” on day one, evidence of an ecosystem geared to collaboration and speed. A space for real-scale experiments The decision is now concrete. In March 2025, FM launched construction of a 25–26k m², purpose-built facility in Luxembourg City, expected to open in 2027. It will house labs for real-scale experiments, an FM Approvals testing space for products used across EMEA, training rooms, client immersion areas and the com- pany’s European insurance operations – an “integrated facility” that brings science, engineering and client engagement under one roof. US-based FM is launching its European sci- ence hub in Luxembourg – not just to insure against risks, but to prevent losses before they happen and advance practical solutions in climate, industrial tech and cyber risks. BY ZUZA REDA-JAKIMA © FM