+44 7852 806969
info@acumengcompliance.com
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- Clear governance and accountability
- Robust internal controls
- Risk management policies
- Compliance monitoring
- Incident reporting
- Operational resilience planning
- Third-party oversight
Operational Risk Management
Risk & Prudential
Operational Risk Management Consultant UK
Build a Stronger, More Resilient Business with Expert Operational Risk Advisory
Acumen Global Compliance Ltd is a trusted operational risk management consultant UK businesses rely on to strengthen governance, improve operational resilience, and meet FCA regulatory expectations. With over 15 years of regulatory compliance experience, we help fintech companies, payment institutions, e-money firms, crypto businesses, and other regulated organisations identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks. Our practical, risk-based approach supports robust operational risk frameworks, effective internal controls, and sustainable regulatory compliance, helping businesses reduce operational disruption, minimise regulatory exposure, and build long-term resilience.
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- +44 7852 806969
What Is Operational Risk Management?
Operational risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating risks arising from people, processes, systems, third-party relationships, and external events. It helps organisations strengthen governance, improve regulatory compliance, enhance operational resilience, and reduce operational disruptions.
An effective operational risk management framework includes:
- Operational risk assessments
- Risk identification and evaluation
- Internal controls and control testing
- Governance and oversight
- Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)
- Incident reporting and remediation
- Business continuity and operational resilience
- Third-party risk management
- Ongoing compliance monitoring
For FCA-regulated firms, effective operational risk management is essential for maintaining sound governance, meeting regulatory expectations, and protecting customers, business operations, and organisational reputation.
Why Operational Risk Management Matters
Operational risk affects every organisation, regardless of its size or industry. As businesses grow, adopt new technologies, or outsource key functions, managing operational risk becomes increasingly important.
Poor operational risk management can result in:
- Regulatory action and compliance breaches
- Financial losses and operational disruption
- Cybersecurity incidents and data breaches
- Weak governance and ineffective controls
- Customer dissatisfaction and reputational damage
For FCA-regulated firms, effective operational risk management is essential to meet regulatory expectations, strengthen governance, improve operational resilience, and support long-term business success.
Our Operational Risk Management Consulting Services
Acumen Global Compliance provides comprehensive operational risk advisory services designed to help organisations strengthen governance, improve operational resilience, and meet evolving regulatory expectations. Our solutions are tailored to your business model, risk profile, and regulatory obligations.
Operational Risk Assessment
Understanding your organisation’s operational risk exposure is the foundation of an effective risk management strategy. We conduct detailed operational risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities across business processes, technology, people, governance, and third-party relationships.
Our assessments help organisations:
- Identify operational risks and control gaps
- Evaluate existing mitigation measures
- Prioritise high-risk areas
- Strengthen internal controls
- Improve regulatory preparedness
Operational Risk Framework Development
An effective operational risk framework provides a structured approach to identifying, managing, and reporting operational risks across the organisation.
Our consultants help businesses develop frameworks that include:
- Risk governance structures
- Risk appetite statements
- Operational risk policies
- Risk assessment methodology
- Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)
- Incident reporting procedures
- Escalation and remediation processes
- Ongoing monitoring and review
Each framework is designed to align with FCA expectations while supporting practical day-to-day risk management.
Enterprise Operational Risk Management
Operational risks often affect multiple business functions. We help organisations implement enterprise operational risk management programmes that provide consistent oversight across departments, business units, and jurisdictions.
Our enterprise risk solutions include:
- Enterprise risk assessments
- Cross-functional risk registers
- Operational risk reporting
- Board and senior management reporting
- Risk governance enhancement
- Enterprise-wide control frameworks
This integrated approach enables organisations to make informed decisions while maintaining effective oversight of operational risks.
Operational Risk Compliance Support
Regulatory expectations continue to evolve, particularly for firms operating within the UK financial services sector. Our consultants provide ongoing operational risk compliance support to help organisations maintain effective governance and demonstrate compliance with FCA requirements.
We assist with:
- Operational risk compliance reviews
- Regulatory gap assessments
- Compliance monitoring
- Internal control evaluations
- Risk remediation programmes
- Policy and procedure development
- Governance reviews
By embedding operational risk into everyday business activities, organisations can improve compliance while reducing the likelihood of regulatory breaches.
Governance and Internal Controls
Strong governance supports effective operational risk management through clear accountability, oversight, and decision-making.
Our services include:
- Governance framework reviews
- Board and committee reporting
- Risk governance structures
- Three Lines Model implementation
- Risk appetite development
- Policy and procedure reviews
- Internal control framework design
- Compliance oversight
Third-Party and Outsourcing Risk Management
We help organisations manage the operational, regulatory, cyber, and financial risks associated with outsourced service providers.
Our services include:
- Vendor due diligence
- Outsourcing governance
- Supplier risk assessments
- Contractual controls
- Service level agreements (SLAs)
- Ongoing supplier monitoring
- Exit planning
- Concentration risk assessments
Business Continuity Planning
A strong Business Continuity Plan (BCP) helps organisations maintain critical operations during disruptions and recover quickly.
Our services include:
- Business impact analysis
- Recovery planning
- Crisis management frameworks
- Disaster recovery coordination
- Incident response planning
- Testing and simulation exercises
- Business continuity policy development
- Continuous plan reviews
FCA Operational Risk Requirements
For FCA-regulated firms, operational risk management is essential for maintaining effective governance, systems, and controls. The FCA expects firms to identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate operational risks while protecting customers and ensuring operational resilience.
An effective operational risk framework should include:
Weak operational controls can lead to regulatory scrutiny, financial penalties, and reputational damage. Acumen Global Compliance helps businesses implement practical operational risk frameworks aligned with FCA expectations and their specific business needs.
Operational Risk Management vs Operational Resilience
Operational Risk Management
Operational Resilience
Identifies and manages operational risks.
Ensures critical business services continue during disruption.
Focuses on preventing operational failures.
Focuses on responding to and recovering from disruptions.
Covers governance, controls, and risk monitoring.
Covers business continuity, incident response, and recovery planning.
Supports day-to-day risk management.
Supports long-term organisational resilience.
Forms part of the wider enterprise risk management framework.
Builds on effective operational risk management to minimise service disruption.
While both are essential, prudential advisory services specifically address regulatory obligations that internal finance teams may not routinely manage.
Operational Risk Assessment Process
A structured operational risk assessment enables organisations to identify vulnerabilities before they lead to regulatory breaches, operational disruption, or financial loss. At Acumen Global Compliance, we follow a practical, risk-based methodology that helps businesses strengthen internal controls while meeting FCA regulatory expectations.
Our Operational Risk Assessment Methodology
1. Understand Your Business Operations
We begin by gaining a detailed understanding of your organisation, including its business model, governance arrangements, products and services, operational processes, technology infrastructure, outsourcing arrangements, and regulatory obligations.
This provides the context needed to identify operational risks that are specific to your organisation rather than relying on generic risk templates.
2. Identify Operational Risks
Our consultants assess the key sources of operational risk across your business, including:
- Internal processes and procedures
- Human error and resource capability
- Technology and cyber security risks
- Third-party and outsourcing arrangements
- Financial crime and fraud exposure
- Regulatory compliance obligations
- Data protection and GDPR requirements
- Business continuity and operational resilience
We work closely with management teams to develop a comprehensive operational risk register that reflects your organisation’s actual risk landscape.
3. Assess Existing Controls
Once risks have been identified, we evaluate the effectiveness of your existing control environment.
Our review considers:
- Governance structures
- Policies and procedures
- Approval processes
- Segregation of duties
- Monitoring controls
- Compliance monitoring programmes
- Incident management processes
- Internal reporting mechanisms
This helps identify areas where controls may be ineffective, duplicated, or missing altogether.
4. Evaluate Risk Exposure
Each identified risk is assessed based on its likelihood, potential impact, and effectiveness of existing controls.
This enables organisations to prioritise resources towards the risks that present the greatest threat to regulatory compliance, operational resilience, customer outcomes, and business continuity.
5. Develop Practical Risk Mitigation Strategies
Following the assessment, we provide clear recommendations to strengthen your operational risk framework.
Depending on your organisation’s requirements, recommendations may include:
- Improving governance arrangements
- Enhancing internal controls
- Updating operational policies
- Strengthening compliance monitoring
- Introducing Key Risk Indicators (KRIs)
- Improving incident reporting procedures
- Enhancing third-party oversight
- Developing operational resilience plans
Our recommendations are practical, commercially focused, and tailored to your business objectives.
6. Continuous Monitoring and Review
Operational risk management is not a one-off exercise. As organisations evolve, so do their operational risks.
We help clients establish ongoing monitoring processes that include:
- Regular operational risk reviews
- Control testing
- Risk reporting to senior management
- Internal audit support
- Governance reviews
- Compliance monitoring
- Continuous framework improvement
This enables organisations to remain resilient as regulatory expectations and business environments change.
Why Choose Acumen Global Compliance?
Choose a trusted operational risk management consultant with over 15 years of regulatory expertise helping FCA-regulated firms strengthen governance, manage operational risk, and maintain compliance.
15+ Years of Experience
Supporting fintechs, payment institutions, e-money firms, MSBs, and other regulated businesses.
Tailored Risk Solutions
Practical, risk-based advice aligned with your business model and regulatory requirements.
FCA-Focused Expertise
Frameworks designed to meet FCA expectations for governance, operational resilience, and internal controls.
End-to-End Support
From operational risk assessments and enterprise risk management to compliance monitoring, business continuity, and remediation.
Commercially Practical Approach
Solutions that strengthen compliance while supporting sustainable business growth.
Build a Stronger Operational Risk Framework with Confidence
Strengthen your governance, improve operational resilience, and meet FCA regulatory expectations with tailored operational risk management solutions.
Contact Acumen Global Compliance today to discuss your requirements and build a resilient, compliant, and future-ready operational risk framework.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operational Resilience and Why Is It Important?
Operational resilience is an organisation’s ability to continue delivering critical services during and after disruptions. It helps businesses meet FCA expectations, reduce operational risk, and maintain business continuity.
What Is the Difference Between Operational Resilience and Business Continuity?
Operational resilience focuses on maintaining critical business services during disruptions, while business continuity management focuses on recovering operations after an incident. Business continuity is a key component of a broader operational resilience strategy.
Can you help improve operational resilience?
Yes. We help organisations strengthen operational resilience by identifying important business services, conducting impact assessments, developing resilience strategies, performing scenario testing, and enhancing business continuity planning.
How often should operational risk assessments be conducted?
Operational risk assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes to your business model, regulatory obligations, systems, products, or operational structure. Periodic reviews help organisations identify emerging risks before they become material issues.
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