H1 2026 Top Takeaways

Takeaways - August 2026

This article summarises the highlights from ORX Membership activities in the first half of 2026, including published reports, community discussions and in-person events. It provides our members and ORX Lite subscribers with operational and non-financial risk (ONFR) insights from across our work.

Topics covered in this article include:

• Strategy and change – How risk leaders are repositioning ONFR to enable faster decision-making, strategic delivery and organisational resilience
• What's happening across the risk landscape – The key risk trends, emerging threats and external developments shaping firms' risk priorities in 2026
• AI – What recent developments mean for cyber risk and AI risk governance
• Third party risk management – How firms are addressing concentration risk, systemic dependencies and strengthening oversight amid heightened regulatory and operational resilience expectations
• Digital and AI strategy – How leading firms are building the capabilities, data foundations and operating models needed to transform ONFR
• Skills for ONFR – The skills and workforce changes required to succeed in an increasingly digital and AI-enabled risk environment
• Measurement and capital – What industry data reveals about changing risk exposures, loss trends and implications for capital and stress testing

Operational and non-financial risk is being reshaped by a faster, more complex and more uncertain environment

Across our H1 2026 research, discussions and events, a consistent message emerged – firms must become faster, more resilient and more focused on the risks that matter most. AI is creating both new threats and opportunities, while geopolitical uncertainty, digital ecosystem concentration risks and growing third-party dependencies are adding complexity to ONFR agendas.

Increasing interconnectedness and the compression of time (in terms of how risks can materialise) are challenging traditional control models, with further uncertainty expected over the next 18 months. In response, leaders see an urgent need to transform ONFR towards a more dynamic, embedded and outcome-focused model, enabled by stronger data foundations and AI capabilities.

Resilience and strategy key for successful risk management

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Disclaimer: ORX has prepared this resource with care and attention. ORX does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. ORX does not warrant the accuracy of the advice, statement or recommendations in this resource. ORX shall not be liable for any loss, expense, damage or claim arising from this resource. The content of this resource does not itself constitute a contractual agreement, and ORX accepts no obligation associated with this resource except as expressly agreed in writing. ©ORX 2026

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