Last week we launched London Business Networks for Resilience, a new initiative supported by London Resilience (Greater London Authority). The programme aims to strengthen London’s overall resilience by enhancing emergency preparedness and response through collaboration between business networks and their local Borough Resilience Forums.
Held at Level39, One Canada Square, and kindly hosted by Canary Wharf Group, Connected for Resilience brought together representatives from business networks, government, and community sectors. The discussion focused on the importance of a whole-of-society approach to resilience, recognising the importance of shared responsibility and collective action.
Katherine Richardson, Director of London Resilience at the GLA, opened the event by highlighting the value of strong relationships before a crisis occurs.
“The best advice I ever received when it came to working in resilience was to make friends before you need them.”
Before the panel discussion, Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the National Preparedness Commission, reflected on the national picture:
“National preparedness and resilience are a necessity for all of your businesses and the businesses you work with. We all need the nation to function, to be prepared, and to be resilient. In turn, the nation needs the rest of society to function, to be prepared, and to be resilient. Every one of the businesses you’re involved in or that you represent is mutually dependent on the preparedness and resilience of its suppliers, its customers, and its neighbours. There’s a societal responsibility on all of us to work together on these issues.”
The panel was chaired by Lord Harris and featured a diverse group of resilience experts:
- Simon Brooker, Security Consultant, West End Security Group
- Matt Maer, Director of Security and Resilience, Canary Wharf Group
- Diane Newton, Resilience and Crime Reduction Manager, Better Bankside
- Pallavi Gulati, Director of Crisis and Resilience, PwC
- Brooke Rogers OBE AKC, Deputy Executive Dean and Vice Dean (People & Planning) – SSPP, Professor of Behavioural Science and Security, Department of War Studies, King’s College London
Discussion focused on practical experiences and challenges in business continuity, crisis response, and cross-sector engagement.
Key takeaways and recommended actions
- Effective communication
Communication in emergencies should be clear, timely, and accessible. Pre-established and trusted channels (for example WhatsApp groups or email lists) can support rapid coordination. Messaging must be relevant and inclusive of diverse audiences.
Action: Create reliable and trusted communication channels for everyday issues and when it matters most - Inclusive engagement:
Effective resilience planning must include smaller and minority-owned businesses. Engagement efforts should be proactive through partnerships with local authorities, community groups, and direct outreach.
Action: Engage proactively with local businesses and involve them in scenario-based discussions or exercises. - Exercises and learning:
Scenario-based exercises and debriefs following real incidents help embed learning. Exercises should be practical and not overly resource-intensive. Recommendations must be taken forward.
Action: Support smaller businesses to empower frontline staff through targeted training and participation in exercises. - Breaking down silos:
Risks are often treated separately, but many are interconnected. An integrated approach is needed to manage cascading failures, such as disruption to power, water, or transport. Collaboration across sectors is critical.
Action: Know your Borough Resilience Forum and engage with partners across different sectors. - Empowering frontline roles:
Individuals in frontline or operational roles often have key insights and are well placed to respond. Empowering and training staff at all levels supports faster, more effective decision-making.
Action: Provide training opportunities that support decision-making at all levels. - Building relationships early:
The ability to act quickly in a crisis often depends on existing relationships. Building networks in advance increases trust and improves coordination when it matters most.
Action: Build networks before a crisis hits to strengthen collaboration and shared response capabilities.
The event initiated a collaborative effort to improve London’s resilience and preparedness across the business community.
The next event in the series will take place on 19 June, from 10:30 to 12:00, where we will explore how to use the National Risk Register in your planning and how to build connections with Borough Resilience Forums.
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