CWSR / ISRM Conference: Catalysing Whole System Change Towards a Resilient Future for the UK (24th September 2025)

Driving Forward Whole of Society Resilience: Highlights from the Annual Conference

On 24th September 2025, Caroline Field hosted the second annual conference of the Centre for Whole of Society Resilience, in collaboration with the Institute for Strategic Risk Management (ISRM). The event was co-led by Caroline Field, co-founder of the Centre, and PA Partner, and Dr David Rubens, CEO of ISRM, bringing together thought leaders and practitioners from across sectors to explore how resilience can be embedded across society.

The day was thoughtfully structured around meaningful conversations and two interactive workshops, fostering collaboration between professionals from government, academia, corporates, and community organisations. With over 50 attendees, the conference provided a platform to share insights, challenge assumptions, and co-create actionable strategies for societal resilience.

Keynote & Panels: Leadership in Action

We were honoured to welcome Rosehanna Chowdhury, newly appointed CEO of the UK Resilience Academy, who delivered her first keynote in her new role. With over 20 years of experience driving strategic transformation across government and business, her address set an inspiring tone for the day.

The first panel featured: 

Zonia Brown (Cabinet Office, Defra, Home Office)

Robyn Knox (Transformation and social impact specialist)

Bronwyn Bullen (Organisational resilience and business continuity expert)

Nicola Feakin (Business and investment management strategist)

Together, they explored how to empower resilience, engage communities, and navigate the challenges and successes of embedding resilience in diverse contexts.

The second panel focused on urban resilience, with insights from: 

Alastair M Brown (Former local government director)

Matthew Hogan (Emergency management and resilience specialist)

Sharon Miller (Greater Manchester Combined Authority)

Their discussion highlighted the complexities of resilience in urban settings and the importance of cross-sector collaboration.

Workshops: From Insight to Action

The workshops challenged participants to: 

Understand societal personas—their daily challenges, motivations, and barriers to resilience

Explore communication strategies to make resilience relatable and actionable

Reflect on leadership—how to inspire accountability and preparedness across society

A standout reflection came from Laura Pole, United Nations Consultant, who shared four key takeaways in her LinkedIn page:

• Resilience plays a preventative role in reducing loss and damage, while enabling sustained growth

• Risk-based and impact-based approaches must work together in a world of ‘unprecedented’ crises

• Resilience must extend beyond organisations to include ecosystems—customers, suppliers, communities

• Adaptability over ego is essential; resilience demands humility and openness to uncertainty

Women in Resilience Corner

During the lunch break, a dedicated Women in Resilience session sparked ideas on how to bring resilience to life within organisations, influence peers, and foster inclusive conversations around preparedness and adaptability.

A Day of Inspiration and Momentum

The conference was a powerful reminder that resilience is not just a concept—it’s a collective journey. Through shared experiences, expert insights, and collaborative action, we are building the foundations for a more resilient society.