SLID INED Forum and EY host ‘Resilient Boards amidst rising risks: Are Boards ready for what comes next?’

Guest Speaker EY-Parthenon Senior Partner and ASEAN Energy Leader Sanjeev Gupta

In an increasingly unpredictable business environment, resilience is no longer simply an operational priority—it is a boardroom imperative. Geopolitical uncertainty, supply-chain disruption, cyber threats, rapid technological change and shifting stakeholder expectations are creating a risk landscape in which boards must look beyond traditional oversight and actively prepare their organisations for what may come next.

Against this backdrop, the Sri Lanka Institute of Directors (SLID), in collaboration with EY, will present “Resilient Boards Amidst Rising Risks”, an Independent Non-Executive Directors (INED) Forum discussion on 10 September 2026, from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. at the Courtyard, Cinnamon Grand Colombo. 

The forum is designed to bring the conversation on risk directly into the boardroom, examining how directors can strengthen independent oversight, challenge management constructively and ensure that organisations are equipped not only to withstand disruption, but also to respond, recover and adapt.

Among the principal risks currently requiring board attention are geopolitical events, supply-chain disruptions and cyberattacks and data breaches. These are compounded by organisational challenges including misaligned cultures, digital disruption, succession planning and talent-related risks.

While many of these issues are common across industries, every board must determine which risks are most likely to materially affect its organisation. This requires a clear and continuing dialogue between the board and management on the effectiveness of risk-assessment processes, monitoring mechanisms and organisational preparedness.

Importantly, risk cannot be treated as an annual compliance exercise. It must be an ongoing strategic conversation. Boards need to critically examine corporate strategy against material and emerging risks, question whether adequate safeguards and response mechanisms are in place, and consider the appropriate trade-off between risk management, investment and cost pressures.

Bringing a significant regional perspective to the discussion will be Guest Speaker EY-Parthenon Senior Partner and ASEAN Energy Leader Sanjeev Gupta.

With more than three decades of experience, Gupta is a leading advisor in energy, infrastructure and transformation. He has advised governments, global energy companies, sovereign investors and private equity firms on more than 1,000 engagements representing over $ 400 billion in value. His expertise extends across conventional and emerging energy sectors, including carbon capture, hydrogen, small modular reactors, biofuels and AI-enabled transformation.

Gupta is also an Accredited Listed Companies Board Director certified by the Singapore Institute of Directors, and has extensive experience advising major corporates and their boards as a senior advisor. His executive education includes programmes at INSEAD, Harvard University and the University of Texas at Dallas.

Joining him will be an experienced panel of corporate and board leaders: Hirdaramani Group Director and Hirdaramani International Exports Managing Partner Ranil Pathirana, EY Sri Lanka former Managing Partner and Independent Non-Executive Director on several Boards Manil Jayesinghe, and Phoenix Industries Ltd., Chairman and Brandix Lanka Ltd., Group Audit Committee Chairman Nihal Fonseka. 

The discussion will be moderated by Maharaja Foods PLC Chairman Imran Furkan.

Together, the speakers will explore the practical responsibilities of boards in strengthening independent oversight, risk management, management accountability, stakeholder trust and post-crisis recovery, while examining how directors can help organisations move from reactive risk management towards genuine resilience.

The forum is particularly relevant for chairpersons, executive and independent non-executive directors, CEOs and C-suite executives, audit and risk committee members, senior finance and risk professionals, company secretaries, governance professionals and emerging board leaders.

As disruption becomes increasingly difficult to predict, the strength of an organisation may ultimately depend on the preparedness, judgement and foresight of those around the boardroom table. For registrations and further information, contact SLID on +94 76 545 4279 or [email protected].