Event Details
Date & Time:
Location:
Virtual - Online via Zoom
Boardroom Strategy for Geopolitical Risk: Insights for Resilience and Agility
In today’s interconnected world, geopolitical events have become one of the most pressing risks for businesses. According to the World Economic Forum (2024), 83% of respondents view geopolitical tensions as the primary threat to global economic growth in the coming year, surpassing even concerns around high inflation and monetary tightening (73%). Looking ahead to the next decade, 86% of participants identify rising geopolitical fragmentation and protectionism as the most significant long-term threat.
With Trump’s recent election as U.S. President, the potential for significant global shifts is higher than ever, and boards must be prepared to anticipate and respond to these emerging risks. This panel discussion, hosted by Sharon Constançon, CEO of Genius Boards, will explore how boards should assess, debate, and mitigate geopolitical risks to safeguard their organizations’ resilience and strategic goals.
Join us for an insightful conversation as we dive into actionable strategies to help boards navigate the complexities of a shifting global landscape.
What You Will Gain:
This webinar aims to equip board members with actionable insights into identifying, assessing, and responding to geopolitical risks that could affect their organisations. Attendees will better understand how global events may impact their operations and how a proactive approach to geopolitical risk can enhance resilience and stability.
Key Topics to be Covered:
- Understanding Geopolitical Risk
- Defining what geopolitical risk means in today’s business landscape and why it matters to boards.
- How changes in U.S. leadership and policy shifts could directly and indirectly impact global markets, trade relationships, and regulations.
- Identifying Direct vs. Indirect Risks
- Analysing which aspects of geopolitical change will likely have the most immediate effect on business operations.
- Discussing indirect implications, such as currency volatility, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory changes.
- Board’s Role in Mitigating Geopolitical Risks
- How boards can actively assess and monitor geopolitical risks as part of their governance responsibilities.
- The importance of aligning the board’s risk appetite with the organisation’s ability to navigate potential geopolitical disruptions.
- Scenario Planning and Strategic Foresight
- The value of scenario planning in preparing for various geopolitical outcomes.
- Practical steps boards can take to develop strategic foresight and increase organisational agility.
- Actions and Outcomes
- Actionable steps boards can implement to anticipate, mitigate, and monitor geopolitical risks.
- Best practices for reviewing and adapting risk mitigation strategies over time.
Host
Sharon is a highly accomplished CEO with a diverse range of experience across several businesses. She currently serves as the CEO of Genius Boards Limited, and Valufin Limited, in addition to her role as Chairman of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK. Sharon is a corporate governance specialist and foreign currency adviser, known for her impressive track record of achieving results. As an energetic entrepreneur with a sharp eye for risk, Sharon is skilled in recognizing opportunities and understanding the importance of good governance.
One of Sharon’s key strengths is her deep understanding of board behaviours, leadership, and regulated industries. She uses this expertise to deliver truly insightful and practical board evaluations. In addition, Sharon serves as a mentor and coach to chairmen and directors and is a passionate advocate for the company secretary role.
Sharon is also a respected educator and shares her knowledge and experience as a lecturer for the Qualifying Level Boardroom Dynamics course for the Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland. Additionally, she serves as a faculty member of The Corporate Governance Institute, delivering risk training to corporate leaders. Overall, Sharon is a dynamic leader with a wealth of experience and expertise in corporate governance, leadership, and risk management.
Guest Speakers
As the Director of Geopolitical Risk at Infortal Worldwide, Dr. Ian Oxnevad leads the firm’s Geopolitical Risk Intelligence & Analysis efforts. Ian’s Geopolitical Risk (GPR) thought leadership informs Infortal Worldwide’s GPR training program, due diligence investigations, and geopolitical risk advisory services.
Dr. Oxnevad is a political scientist and political economist by training, where he combined economics with security studies to examine issues of geopolitical risk, economic warfare, intelligence, terrorism, corporate espionage, and money laundering.
Ian leverages his expertise to advise and train clients on geopolitical and economic risks facing their operations. Ian’s expertise substantively expands Infortal Worldwide’s “boots on the ground” approach to obtain accurate and timely information on geopolitical threats and liabilities. Ian also advises clients on integrating risk intelligence into their operational and strategic planning processes.
Prior to joining Infortal Worldwide, Dr. Oxnevad taught courses on corruption and terrorist financing for the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) and at other leading academic institutions. Ian has also routinely consulted with attorneys as an expert witness on cases related to terrorism, persecution, and human rights abuses.
Ian is a prolific author of several articles and books including, a book on terrorist financing in the international banking system: Making a Killing: States, Banks, and Terrorism (Montreal: McGill-Queens University Press, 2021).
Ian holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California and holds a MA in National Security Studies along with degrees in Arabic and English.
With over 26 years of experience as a diplomat and geopolitical risk consultant, Mohamed Cassimjee brings deep expertise in South African, African, and Global South geopolitics and foreign policy. His thought leadership has been widely recognised, with contributions to Chatham House, the British Foreign Policy Group, and the South African Institute for International Affairs. Mohamed has also presented on topics related to Africa and the Global South at prominent institutions, including Oxford University, where he shared insights on Africa’s role in the current world order.
As an influential voice in multilateralism and international relations, Mohamed has advised chambers of commerce, risk agencies, and government bodies in London and beyond. He frequently addresses geopolitical risks impacting the Global South and consults with agencies on the evolving international policy landscape.
Currently, Mohamed is a research associate at the African Studies Centre and a mentor at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University. Additionally, he serves as an associate fellow with the British Foreign Policy Group (BFPG) and is an advisory board member of the South African/UK Chamber of Commerce.
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