Greatest Threats Facing Organisations – Real Opinions from Finance & Risk Team Leaders

In a fast-moving economic landscape, organisations across the UK are continuously adapting to new pressures; from regulatory shifts to technological disruption. To understand what challenges leaders are most concerned about right now, T2M Resourcing surveyed Finance and Risk Team Leaders across the UK and asked a simple question:

“What’s the greatest risk currently facing your organisation?”

The results highlight clear trends shaping organisational priorities in 2025, with cybersecurity, market volatility, and regulatory pressure ranking among the top concerns.

44% of Finance & Risk Team Leaders believe cybersecurity threats pose the greatest risk to their organisation.

This aligns closely with wider UK data. According to recent government figures, 43% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months, along with 30% of UK charities. Cyber incidents continue to rise in frequency and sophistication, driven by:

• Increased remote and hybrid working

• Greater reliance on cloud technologies

• Growth in AI-powered cyberattacks

• Vulnerabilities in third-party supply chains

For many finance, risk and compliance teams, cybersecurity is no longer an isolated IT issue – it’s a core organisational risk with the potential to impact financial stability, operations, reputation, and even regulatory standing.

Demand for professionals skilled in cybersecurity, data protection, and risk mitigation continues to surge. Organisations lacking internal capability are more exposed and slower to recover from breaches, making specialist hiring a top priority.

28% of Finance & Risk Leaders identified market and operational risks as their organisation’s greatest threat.

UK businesses continue to operate in a challenging environment shaped by:

• Persistently high inflation

• Supply chain instability

• Fluctuating consumer confidence

• Rising operational costs

• Economic uncertainty both domestically and globally

Operational risks often extend beyond financial performance and touch areas such as:

• Workforce shortages

• Process inefficiencies

• Technology reliance

• Business continuity planning

As a result, many organisations are reassessing their financial strategies, restructuring teams, or investing in operational transformation.

These pressures are increasing demand for:

• Risk analysts

• Operations leaders

• Transformation specialists

• Financial planning & analysis (FP&A) professionals

• Procurement & supply chain experts

Businesses with strong operational resilience are better positioned to adapt to market shifts.

17% of Finance & Risk Team Leaders said that regulatory compliance poses the greatest threat.

The UK regulatory landscape has become increasingly complex following:

• Post-Brexit regulatory divergence

• Stricter financial reporting and ESG requirements

• Enhanced FCA expectations

• New obligations around data protection and privacy

• Evolving compliance standards across industries

For many organisations, keeping pace with these changes requires specialist expertise – particularly for those operating across multiple jurisdictions or sectors with intensive oversight.

Compliance teams are expanding, and professionals with expertise in:

• Governance & risk

• FCA regulation

• Data privacy (GDPR)

• ESG reporting

• Internal audit

…are highly sought after as businesses look to reduce the risk of penalties and reputational damage.

11% of leaders stated financial fraud or errors pose the biggest threat to their organisation.

Although this ranks lower than other risks, it remains an important concern, especially with increased digital transactions, automation, and cross-border financial activity.

Key areas of exposure include:

• Internal fraud

• Payment errors

• Invoice redirection scams

• Misreporting or financial inaccuracy

• Weak financial controls

Strong internal auditing, enhanced financial controls, and specialist staff remain crucial to managing these risks.

The survey clearly highlights that UK organisations are facing multi-layered risks, many of which are linked to:

• Technology transformation

• Market instability

• Regulatory scrutiny

• Skills shortages

Across finance, risk, compliance, operations, and cybersecurity, the right talent is becoming one of the biggest differentiators in organisational resilience.

Businesses that invest in capability, whether through permanent hires, interim specialists, or strategic workforce planning, are better positioned not just to manage today’s risks, but to anticipate tomorrow’s.

The right people can transform your organisation’s ability to navigate uncertainty.

If you’re looking to hire skilled professionals across Finance, Risk, Compliance, or Operational Leadership, T2M supports organisations across the UK with:

• Senior and executive permanent hires

• Interim and contract placements

• Specialist talent across highly regulated sectors

• Market insights and salary benchmarking

Get in touch today to discuss how we can support your 2026 workforce strategy.