Losing customers is the top fear for bosses in 2011

The risk that global company bosses are most afraid of is losing customers, according to the 2011 Lloyd’s Risk Index.

Other top worries are finding talented workers, damage to reputation, changing regulation and fluctuating currency.

Lloyd’s chief executive Richard Ward said: “Two years ago, businesses told us they were primarily concerned about the cost and supply of credit. Now their worries are even more fundamental with many wondering just what’s happened to their customers, and where can they find the skilled staff they so desperately need. The survey is a snapshot of two years of economic uncertainty.”

However, 70% of bosses said they felt better prepared to cope with most of the risks they face compared with two years ago.

The index is based on a survey of 500 business leaders by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The top worry in the previous 2009 survey was the cost and availability of credit.