John Ludlow is keen to reflect the priorities of a changing risk landscape. Business models can be trashed in seconds by the viral connectivity of social media disgrace or the omnipresent threat of cyber-attack. Companies are fragile, perhaps now more than ever before, and Airmic’s CEO is keen to address these vulnerabilities to what are commonly called intangible risks.
The former risk head for InterContinental Hotels Group describes the context for making business plans in 2018. Brand reputation, and precious data and systems, are the new treasure to guard, and they are much more fragile than bricks and mortar.
“Globalisation and technology are driving business model disruption,” says Ludlow. “We’re seeing massively increased levels of business connectivity. The value of the business is more reflected in intangible assets rather than, as has historically been the case, by tangible assets. Future cash flows and brand value are also more dependent on data systems than on any tangible assets.
“All of that makes firms more fragile. They can be destroyed very easily. There is greater need for resilience and agility in our business,” he adds.
Ludlow described a…
