Uncover the unexamined sides of leadership behaviour that determine crisis outcomes.
A first-of-its-kind assessment combining behavioural science and organisational psychology to provide a robust understanding of leadership crisis preparedness.
Most organisations neglect the single most important variable in a crisis : how leaders respond under stress.
While identifying leadership strengths tends to be the primary focus for many firms, it's often the unexamined behavioural ‘shadow sides’ that truly shape outcomes in high-stakes scenarios. Our Crisis Leadership Assessment (CLA), led by expert coaching psychologists, offers unique insight into how leaders are likely to respond—individually and collectively—under extreme pressure. By bridging the gap between theoretical plans and probable real-world responses, the CLA helps strengthen crisis readiness, governance, and risk frameworks.
Addressing The Overlooked “Human Factor” in Crisis Management and Governance .
Decisions made in moments of heightened pressure have profound implications on the trajectory of a business. Yet this “human element” remains a significant gap in many organisations' crisis preparedness & governance frameworks. By integrating structured, psychologically-informed stress-testing into governance frameworks, Boards and CROs strengthen both leadership risk response and organisational resilience.
Regulatory demands for leadership accountability are intensifying, yet 95% of leaders say their crisis response needs improvement. PwC, 2021.
69% of senior executives experienced a major crisis within a five-year period—yet most remained unprepared. PwC, 2019.
70% of CFOs now rank crisis readiness as a top priority—yet most frameworks still overlook the human factor. Deloitte, 2024.
Famn’s robust 3-part approach is designed to bridge the gap that exists in most crisis response toolkits.
The CLA is a structured, psychologically-informed crisis preparedness and mitigation assessment for the C-suite — enabling Boards, CROs, and leadership teams to assess and strengthen the often-overlooked “human element” in crisis response, governance, and risk frameworks.
Leadership Under Stress. Understanding Hidden Patterns & Risks
Overdrive leaders control, make snap decisions, and push aggressively for immediate action.
Risk: Stifles debate and fuels groupthink—driving rushed decisions and flawed execution that compound crisis impact.
Stalled leaders freeze under pressure, overanalyzing risks and becoming overwhelmed.
Risk: Hesitation delays decisions, weakens confidence, and leaves the organisation exposed when swift action is critical.
Withdraws from decisions, deflects responsibility, sidesteps difficult conversations
Risk: Lack of clarity fuels confusion, misalignment, and fractures leadership cohesion—undermining effective crisis response.
Advisory board
Built by Chief Risk Officers & Board Directors
Chris Sweetser
Chris is a senior risk executive with over 20 years’ experience spanning global insurance, audit, and financial services. He is Global Chief Risk Officer at The Fidelis Partnership, where he oversees risk strategy across complex international portfolios.
Prior to this, he served as Group Chief Risk Officer at AmTrust International, leading risk oversight across its non-North American entities, following earlier roles as Chief Auditor and Head of Internal Audit. Chris began his career at EY, where he spent over a decade advising financial institutions on assurance, data strategy, and regulatory compliance across global markets.
Brendan McAfferty
Brendan is a purpose-driven business leader with deep experience in navigating complex risk and leading through crisis. He is Chair of Nest, a fast-growing public corporation with over £50bn AUM, providing pension solutions to more than 13 million UK workers and nearly a million SMEs. He also Chairs Leeds Building Society, a £30bn mutual with a mission to make home ownership more accessible for future generations.
A former CEO in private equity, Brendan was previously CEO of AXA Insurance and the founding CEO of Flood Re, the world-first public-private venture between the UK Government and the insurance industry designed to solve a market failure in household flood insurance. He has also held senior CFO roles and is a qualified accountant.
Richard Coulson
Richard is a senior insurance executive with over 23 years’ experience across underwriting and broking. He is Chief Executive Officer of Insurance and Deputy Group Chief Underwriting Officer at The Fidelis Partnership, specialising in high-risk and crisis-prone sectors.
He previously held leadership roles at RK Harrison and JLT, advising major financial institutions on credit, political risk, and security. Earlier in his career, he underwrote space, satellite, and offshore energy risks at Hiscox, where he received the Award for Innovation. He is a Fellow of both the Chartered Insurance Institute and the Institute of Risk Management.
Ash Morgan
Ash is a senior risk and resilience professional with over 16 years’ experience spanning operational risk, IT resilience, crisis management, and emergency response. Currently the Head of Operational Risk and Business Resilience at easyJet, Ash’s career has spanned local government, financial services, and the aviation sector, giving her a deep understanding of how different industries approach risk and navigate pressure.
Ash is particularly focused on the intersection of strategy, systems, and human behaviour in high-stakes scenarios. She is passionate about helping organisations strengthen their readiness and response when it matters most.
