IoD Risk Survey 2026
The IoD Risk Report 2026 reveals where boards are acting on emerging risks – and where financial assessment and longer-term planning lag behind.
The IoD Risk Survey 2026 examines how boards are responding as technology, geopolitical, climate, natural hazard and workforce risks increasingly shape decisions – often faster than their financial impacts are being quantified.
The findings show that risk is influencing decisions across technology, geopolitics, climate, natural hazards and workforce issues, but the depth of response varies. Financial quantification, scenario analysis and longer-term adaptation remain less developed in several areas.
Key findings include:
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- 50.1% said cyber and technology disruption had actively shaped decisions, but only 21.9% had quantified its potential financial impact.
- 75.9% had discussed generative AI use, compared with 36.3% discussing financial or liability exposure.
- 46.0% had adjusted investment timing or capital allocation in response to geopolitical or geoeconomic risk.
The results also show differences by organisational size, particularly in the use of scenario analysis, external advisers and other risk-management tools. Across five themes, the report looks at where board attention is translating into action and where risk readiness is still developing.
The report explores what these findings mean for board risk readiness and includes practical questions for directors.