Operational & Non-Financial Risk Management
Build Business Resilience beyond the Balance Sheet
Not all risks show up in your profit and loss statement, but when they do surface, they can derail operations, damage reputation, and attract costly fines. Cyberattacks, vendor failures, ESG lapses, or misconduct may seem invisible at first, but left unmanaged, they quickly spiral into business-critical crises.
At AKW Consultants, we help businesses across the UAE and internationally bring structure to the messy world of non-financial risk. Using frameworks grounded in ISO 31000, COSO, and UAE regulations, we give leadership and teams the tools to see risks early, respond quickly, and build a culture of accountability.
Five Hidden Risks That Could Cripple Your Business
01
Fragmented Risk Data
When risks are tracked in silos, early warning signs are missed, leading to firefighting instead of prevention.
02
Third-Party Vulnerabilities
Suppliers, partners, and outsourced vendors may expose your business to risks you don’t directly control.
03
Weak Cybersecurity Controls
Cloud adoption outpaces security. Outdated systems leave you open to ransomware, breaches, and data theft.
04
Poor Communication of Grievance Policies
When teams don’t understand governance or escalation procedures, bad decisions slip through unchecked.
05
Underfunded Risk Teams
Non-financial risk functions often lack resources despite being central to managing compliance, ESG, and reputational risks.
HOW WE HELP
Our Operational & Non-Financial Risk Management Solutions
Non-Financial Risk Taxonomies
- Categorise risks across cyber, compliance, ESG, conduct, and third-party exposure
- Map interdependencies across departments
- Regularly update categories in line with new regulations and threats
- Align budget allocation to actual exposures
Risk Appetite & Escalation Protocols
- Define red flags, tolerance thresholds, and escalation paths
- Set up automated alerts and early-warning indicators
- Build board and leadership visibility into emerging risks
Governance & Ownership Frameworks
- Implement the Three Lines of Defence (LoD) model
- Centralise risk registers with function-level accountability
- Roll out Codes of Conduct, whistleblowing platforms, and ethics awareness programs
Automated Controls & Risk Dashboards
- Automate key controls: vendor checks, access reviews, exception monitoring
- Develop risk scoring models that measure severity and control strength
- Provide leaders with real-time dashboards for risk visibility
Training & Risk Culture Building
- Train teams on early detection, ethical decision-making, and escalation protocols
- Deliver workshops and simulation exercises
- Provide templates and rulebooks for practical day-to-day governance
Why Businesses Choose AKW
Global Audit Experience
Risk reviews conducted across Africa, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East in high-risk sectors.
Cross-Functional Teams
Legal, tech, ESG, compliance, and finance specialists working within a unified advisory model.
AI-Driven Risk Scoring
Proactive detection using predictive
indicators and control testing
automation.
Deep Industry Expertise
Especially in gold, fintech, healthcare, and real estate, where reputational and compliance risks are high.
Aligned with Global Standards
ISO 31000, COSO, NIST CSF,
and UAE regulatory
guidance.
Build a Culture of Risk Awareness
Risk is an operational reality. At AKW Consultants, we help companies turn non-financial risk management into a competitive advantage. By embedding control, visibility, and accountability across your organisation, we help you anticipate crises instead of reacting to them.