| 29 July 2026
Senior leaders will increasingly be required to demonstrate an ability to anticipate, prepare for and recover from crises, under standards launched by the UK Resilience Academy (part of the Cabinet Office).
The new National Occupational Standards, which form part of UK Government’s core resilience guidance, expand the existing suite by introducing a dedicated focus on strategic resilience leadership. They outline the leadership competencies to be incorporated into recruitment and assessment frameworks and success profiles for senior roles.
Covering the financial and economic dimensions of resilience, long-term strategic planning, and leadership within UK institutions, the new standards set clear expectations for senior leaders in addressing and responding to systemic and chronic risks.
The UK-wide standards reflect a concerted effort by the UK Government to strengthen resilience leadership across the UK, supporting leaders from the public, private and voluntary sectors to develop the competencies to address emerging domestic and global threats.
Ministerial departments, government agencies and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are exploring adoption pathways for the non-statutory NOS within their leadership talent management frameworks, with wider adoption encouraged across organisations operating within the UK’s resilience system.
Roger Hargreaves, COBR Director, comments:
“Senior leaders are increasingly being asked to navigate complex and fast-moving challenges, often with significant consequences for communities and critical services.
“These standards provide a practical framework for developing the leadership capabilities required to plan ahead, make informed decisions under pressure and coordinate effective responses across organisational boundaries.
“Strong resilience depends on strong leadership. By embedding preparedness, exercising and partnership working into day-to-day leadership practice, we can build more resilient organisations and a safer, better-prepared society.”
John Barradell OBE, Chair of the National Emergencies Trust, comments:
“We welcome the publication of these standards and their recognition that effective emergency preparedness depends on strong leadership and partnership working across sectors.
“Senior leaders play a crucial role in bringing together organisations, communities and volunteers before, during and after a crisis. These standards help define the capabilities needed to lead that collective effort effectively.
“By strengthening leadership across the resilience system, we can improve our ability to support communities, protect the most vulnerable and recover more quickly from future emergencies.”
The National Occupational Standards were developed by standards setting organisation, The Workforce Development Trust (parent organisation to Skills for health) on behalf of the Cabinet Office.
Managing Director of The Workforce Development Trust Jon Czul comments:
“Organisations are operating in an increasingly complex and unpredictable environment, making resilient leadership more important than ever.
“These standards provide a valuable foundation for leadership development, helping current and future leaders build the knowledge, skills and understanding required to manage risk, lead through uncertainty and work effectively across organisational boundaries.
“Investing in these capabilities will help strengthen resilience across sectors, ensuring leaders are better equipped to protect essential services and support the communities that depend on them.”