Governance & Compliance

Risk Appetite and Risk Culture

Risk appetite defines how much risk an organisation is willing to take, and risk culture determines whether people act accordingly. This course covers designing risk appetite statements and metrics, cascading appetite to business units, monitoring breaches, assessing risk culture and leadership's role.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Without a clear appetite, risk-taking is inconsistent. This course helps boards and managers define and embed appetite and a healthy risk culture.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course uses case studies, appetite statement workshops, culture assessment exercises and board scenario discussions.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain the purpose of risk appetite frameworks
Draft risk appetite statements and tolerances
Develop key risk indicators and limits
Cascade appetite into decisions
Assess and improve risk culture
Report appetite and culture to the board

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Chief risk officers and risk managers
Board members
Senior executives
Internal auditors
Compliance professionals

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Risk appetite design
Risk metrics
Limit frameworks
Risk culture assessment
Board reporting
Risk leadership

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Risk Appetite Foundations

09:00–09:54Appetite, tolerance and capacity
09:54–10:48Regulatory expectations
10:48–11:00Benefits
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Benefits (continued)
12:12–13:06Common pitfalls
13:06–14:00Exercise: Appetite review

Day 2Designing Statements

09:00–09:54Qualitative and quantitative statements
09:54–10:48Risk categories
10:48–11:00Board involvement
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Board involvement (continued)
12:12–13:06Linking to strategy
13:06–14:00Workshop: Drafting statements

Day 3Metrics and Cascading

09:00–09:54Key risk indicators
09:54–10:48Limits
10:48–11:00Business unit cascading
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Business unit cascading (continued)
12:12–13:06Breach management
13:06–14:00Exercise: KRI design

Day 4Risk Culture

09:00–09:54Defining risk culture
09:54–10:48Assessment methods
10:48–11:00Behaviours and incentives
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Behaviours and incentives (continued)
12:12–13:06Leadership role
13:06–14:00Case study: Culture failure

Day 5Embedding and Reporting

09:00–09:54Decision integration
09:54–10:48Board reporting
10:48–11:00Review cycles
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Review cycles (continued)
12:12–13:06Continuous improvement
13:06–14:00Capstone: Risk appetite framework

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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