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UK businesses 'failing to invest in BCM'

26 March 2010

Companies in the UK are failing to invest in business continuity management (BCM) and are placing their operations at risk as a result.

This is the conclusion of a new study, which found poor planning and an "ostrich approach" are placing many firms at risk.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) research indicated more than 51 per cent organisations polled are vulnerable to unexpected disruptions such as IT outages and severe weather.

According to the 'Disruption and Resilience' report, a total of 49 per cent of respondents were found to have adequate preparations in place for such incidents, despite 93 per cent admitting that they suffered problems during the recent snow and ice in the UK.

"Neglecting business planning is reckless in the extreme and it represents a huge failure of management in the UK," CMI Chief Executive, Ruth Spellman, declares, noting Eurostar experienced significant losses recently as a result of planning failures.

She describes BCM as "crucial to business survival" and urges firms to put effective plans in place that are tested regularly for effectiveness.

The benefits of BCM were recently promoted by Civil Contingencies Secretariat at the Cabinet Office, Stuart Sterling, who said it had dropped down lists of priorities as a result of the recession.

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