Norman Broadbent partner Tanya Gass UK boardrooms see the immediate economic environment as more of a threat than climate, AI or cybersecurity Critical business threats such as climate change, AI and cybersecurity are being pushed to the backburner as British boardrooms focus on immediate business risks. Amid continued economic volatility and challenging trading conditions, research among 200 UK board directors reveals a surprising lack of focus on future-proofing risks., according to a new report by executive search firm Norman Broadbent in partnership with BDO. Only 8% consider cybersecurity one of the top three risks facing their organisations, while other critical issues such as AI (4%) and the environment (2%) lag further even behind in board risk and opportunity assessments. In contrast, boards view the economic environment as the biggest risk facing their organisations (19%), followed by workforce talent (16%), access to finance (12%), regulatory change and compliance (12%), and geopolitical factors and UK government policy (10%). ‘Many business risks, such as cyber, AI, and climate change, are not being prioritised by boardrooms in the near term’ Tanya Gass, Norman Broadbent board practice partner Tanya Gass, a partner in Norman Broadbent’s board practice said: “Perhaps it’s not surprising that many business risks, such as cyber, AI, and climate change, are not being prioritised by boardrooms in the near term as they continue to grapple with a volatile global economic environment.” Two hundred board members responded to the Norman Broadbent/BDO survey, 87% of whom were non-executive directors (NEDs). Around one third of respondents were from listed companies, including the FTSE 350. Optimism about UK economy Meanwhile, a separate survey of just FTSE 350 companies found that British boards are optimistic about the UK economy, less so about the world economy. Over half of UK board members (53%) expect UK economic conditions […]