Executive Perspectives on Top Risks for 2021 and 2030

Key issues being discussed in the boardroom and C-suite

The range of uncertainties facing business leaders around the globe in 2021 is overwhelming.

Challenges triggered by a once-in-a-century pandemic continue to unfold combined with numerous other risk issues, such as growing social unrest and polarisation, and ever-present challenges ranging from new technologies and digitisation innovations to ever-changing markets, strategies and business models. Staying abreast of emerging risk issues and opportunities is becoming increasingly difficult.

Protiviti and NC State University’s ERM Initiative are pleased to provide this report focusing on the top risks currently on the minds of global boards of directors and executives. This report contains results from our ninth annual risk survey of directors and executives worldwide to obtain their views on the extent to which a broad collection of risks is likely to affect their organisations over the next year – 2021. Also, for the first time, this year we asked respondents to consider how these risks will affect their organisations a decade from now (in 2030).

Feb 24, 2021

11:00AM Pacific Standard Time

We are pleased with the global reach of our survey this year, with strong participation from 1,081 board members and executives across a variety of industries. Our survey captures insights from C-suite executives and directors, 39% of whom represent companies based in North America, 19% in Europe, 17% in Asia and Australia/New Zealand, and the remaining 25% from Latin America, India, Africa and the Middle East.

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Podcast and Top 10 Risks

The Top 10 Risks for 2021

Pandemic-related policies and regulation impact business performance
Economic conditions constrain growth opportunities
Pandemic-related market conditions reduce customer demand
Adoption of digital technologies may require new skills or significant efforts to upskill/reskill existing employees
Privacy/identity management and information security
Cyber threats
Impact of regulatory change and scrutiny on operational resilience, products, and services
Succession challenges, ability to attract and retain top talent
Resistance to change operations and business model
Ability to compete with “born digital” and other competitors

The Top Risks for 2030

Adoption of digital technologies may require new skills or significant efforts to upskill/reskill existing employees
Impact of regulatory change and scrutiny on operational resilience, products, and services
Rapid speed of disruptive innovation may outpace our ability to compete
Succession challenges, ability to attract and retain top talent
Privacy/identity management and information security
Substitute products or services may arise that affect our business model
Sustaining customer loyalty and retention may be difficult as customer preferences and demographic shifts evolve
Ability to compete with “born digital” and other competitors
Inability to utilize data analytics and “big data” to achieve market intelligence and increase productivity and efficiency
Cyber threats