In today’s operating environment, Boards must understand not only individual risks but also how multiple risks combined could threaten the organisation’s future. As economic uncertainty, inflation, interest rates, development risks, and regulatory scrutiny reshape UK social housing, stress testing has become essential for governance and financial resilience.
The session will reinforce the Board’s role as custodian of assets and organisational sustainability, focusing on understanding strategic risk exposure, reviewing stress testing assumptions, and discussing approaches to balancing long-term sustainability with short-term gains.
While traditional risk management assesses risks in isolation, Boards are now expected to move beyond risk registers. By evaluating the impact of multiple major risks occurring simultaneously, Boards can develop needed recovery plans to protect tenants, assets, and the organisation’s future. Stress testing helps Boards answer important questions like these:
What happens if several major risks crystallise simultaneously?
Could the organisation continue to meet lender covenants?
How resilient is the business plan under severe economic pressure?
What recovery actions would need to be implemented?
Are current reserves and financial buffers sufficient?
What you will learn
Understanding the purpose of stress testing: See how stress testing is different from traditional risk management and why regulators now expect Boards to use more sophisticated approaches to financial resilience and assurance.
Moving beyond traditional risk registers: Learn about the limits of linear risk management models and understand why isolated risk assessment is no longer enough in today’s environment.
Designing effective stress test scenarios: Find out how Boards and executives can create realistic stress test scenarios that reflect the unique risks facing housing providers, such as economic downturns, cyber and operational disruptions, and long-term asset risks.
Stress testing and regulatory compliance: Learn about the latest expectations from UK social housing regulators and how stress testing helps meet governance and viability requirements. This includes financial resilience, governance and financial standards in England and how regulators in Scotland and Wales assess resilience, risk management, and financial sustainability.
Further info
Presented by Bill Gill
Thursday 18 June 2026 | 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
This session is suitable for all Board members operating in England, Scotland and Wales
Our Webinars last 1 hour and are interactive, people can ask questions of the presenter and other attendees.
If you or your organisation have a Webinar subscription you will be sent a link to join this Webinar prior to the session.
Not a subscriber? Find out more here or you can also pay for one Webinar at a time contact us for more details.