The Challenge
A printing and manufacturing business faced a number of risk management challenges identified in an AVIVA risk improvement report. The findings highlighted the need for a more structured approach to Business Continuity Planning.
The business operated across multiple departments with critical production, operational, supply chain, IT and commercial dependencies. Potential disruption from IT failure, supply chain issues, patent conflicts, workforce challenges or operational incidents could significantly affect service delivery, production timelines, customer commitments and financial performance.
The organisation needed a practical business continuity framework that would help meet insurer expectations while improving resilience across its core operations.
Our Approach
Horizonscan proposed a three-phase programme to integrate risk management and business continuity planning.
Phase 1 focused on discovery and risk analysis. This included conducting a Business Impact Analysis to identify critical activities, key dependencies, recovery priorities and resource requirements. A tailored risk register was also developed to capture relevant threats and vulnerabilities.
Phase 2 focused on plan development. Horizonscan developed a high-level Business Continuity Plan and reviewed existing response documentation to ensure continuity arrangements were aligned, practical and proportionate to the organisation’s operating model.
Phase 3 focused on validation and capability building. A workshop-based scenario exercise was proposed to test the Business Continuity Plan, improve organisational understanding and support training for key personnel.
The approach combined practical continuity planning with risk management, helping the business understand not only what could go wrong, but how it should respond and recover.
Identifying critical vulnerabilities and embedding continuity into everyday operations.
The Outcome
The Business Impact Analysis identified six departments with critical activities requiring specific support, resources and recovery arrangements. Key risks included patent conflicts, IT disruption and supply chain vulnerabilities.
Horizonscan’s recommendations included aligning IT disaster recovery processes with business continuity requirements, embedding business continuity and crisis management into company culture and delivering structured training for crisis management teams.
The resulting strategy gave the business a clearer understanding of its critical operations, risk exposure and recovery requirements. It also supported compliance with insurer expectations and provided a stronger foundation for swift recovery from disruptive events.