Overview
Demystify risk for more effective leadership
This one-day course is designed for NHS board members who want to improve their understanding of risk and risk management. You will explore how to strengthen risk conversations, set the right tone for your organisation’s risk culture, and explore approaches to effective risk identification, articulation and reporting.
Through expert input, you will deepen your understanding of board assurance frameworks, risk appetite, and the board’s critical role in risk oversight and governance to support stronger decision-making
Key takeaways
- Refresh your understanding of the key risk management principles including risk identification, articulation, scoring and mitigation.
- Explore the board's role in overseeing risk, assurance, and internal controls.
- Support stronger decision-making through effective use of the board assurance framework (BAF) and risk reporting.
- Review risk appetite and its role in supporting your organisation’s approach to risk management.
- Strengthen your ability to have clearer, more effective risk-based discussions.
Why this matters
The board has overall responsibility and accountability for risk and, in today's increasingly complex NHS landscape, having an effective risk management system is essential. As a board member, a good level of understanding of the core concepts of risk management is important in fulfilling your oversight, challenge, and support role to help achieve better outcomes for staff, patients and service users.
Really enjoyed the course, the content was perfectly pitched and paced, easy to follow and educational. I feel equipped to go back to our Board and have challenging but constructive conversations about what we do now and how we can improve.
What we'll cover
- A refresher on the key principles of risk management, including: identification, articulation, scoring and mitigation.
- How to ensure the right focus is retained when appraising the effectiveness of your organisation's management of risk.
- The role of risk appetite in the assessment of risk, and how it can be used to support day-to-day risk management.
- Guidance on how to determine how effective the risk management framework is in your organisation.
The course runs from 9:30am to 4pm (subject to change).
Trainers

Sophie Guest
Associate - Board Development Programme
The NHS Alliance

Richard Mackie
Associate - Board Development Programme
The NHS Alliance
Pricing
This training is open to Members and Non-Members of The NHS Alliance.
NHS Alliance Member: £335 (ex VAT) | £402 (incl. VAT)
Non-Member: £502.50 (ex VAT) | £603 (incl. VAT)
You will need to provide a purchase order number at booking to confirm your place on this course. Card payments are also accepted.
Follow the ‘Book now’ link at the top of this page to book your place. You will need to create an account if you have not already done so.
It's a great foundation into risk management principles, for someone who has never received formalised training. I found the content easy to follow and allowed me to confirm my existing knowledge but also receive tips on how to improve local processes in my organisation.
Who should attend
- Board members (both executive and non-executive).
- Senior executives and managers looking to develop their understanding of strategic risk management.
Bring this training to your trust
Delivered in-house and shaped around your priorities — helping your board embed learning, strengthen alignment and make smarter use of time and budget.
Enquire now
