Key Person Risk

From Open Risk Manual

Definition

Key Person Risk indicates the Risk generated when significant organizational knowledge, visibility, status or performance rely to a significant degree on a single individual.

The reliance on a key person exposes the organization to the risk of significant financial or reputational loss if

  • the individual ceases to be part of the organization (e.g. due to health, career choices etc.)
  • stops performing or behaving according to expectations and agreements

Issues and Challenges

Key person risk is a form of Concentration Risk, but it is not traditionally discussed alongside the traditional types of Concentration as the structure of an Organization is usually not subject to formal Risk Analysis.