The Finance and Risk Committee of the Barbican Centre Board met on Wednesday 30 September 2026 to review internal audit updates, risk reports, and the Barbican operating model. The meeting agenda also included discussions on the Barbican's business review and programming and events risk register.

Internal Audit Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from the Group Chief Internal Auditor, Matt Lock, on the progress of internal audit work related to the Barbican Centre since the June 2026 meeting. The report was intended to provide information on the delivery status of ongoing audits and the status of open audit recommendations. A particular focus was to be placed on ten overdue Business Continuity recommendations, which had been flagged as a concern by the Audit and Risk Management Committee. The report indicated that revised target dates for these actions were imminent and that members might wish to seek assurance from management regarding their completion.

The report detailed that fieldwork was in progress for the Barbican Centre Fees and Charges and Budget Setting and Monitoring audits, with outcomes anticipated in the next update. Planned audits for the current year included Barbican Fire Safety and Annual P-card Compliance Checks.

Regarding live recommendations, five had been closed since the previous meeting, relating to Barbican Renewal Programme Governance and Contract Management. However, the report highlighted 18 open recommendations, with a specific focus on the ten Business Continuity recommendations. These had been subject to repeated follow-up and were significantly overdue. The report also noted other live recommendations arising from Health and Safety and Ticket Income reviews, some of which had also passed their original target dates.

The report stated that the timely completion of agreed Internal Audit recommendations supports the City of London Corporation's governance, risk management, and internal control framework. Delays in implementation, particularly in business continuity and health and safety, could limit assurance that identified control weaknesses have been addressed.

The committee was asked to note the report, the recommendations requiring attention, and to seek assurance from management on the implementation status of overdue Business Continuity recommendations. It was also noted that further assurance might be sought in November if recommendations remained outstanding after the planned October follow-up.

Barbican Business Review: July 2026 (Period 4)

A joint report from the Chamberlain and the Chief Executive Officer of the Barbican Centre was scheduled for discussion. This report, covering July 2026 (Period 4), was for information and would provide an overview of the Barbican's business performance during that period.

Risk Update

The Chief Operating Officer of the Barbican Centre was due to present a report on risk management. This update was intended to provide information on the risk management system in place at the Barbican Centre and an overview of identified significant risks and associated mitigation measures.

Programming & Events Risk Register

Another report from the Chief Operating Officer of the Barbican Centre was scheduled, focusing on the Programming & Events Risk Register. This was also for information and would detail the risks associated with the Barbican's programming and events.

Barbican Operating Model

A report on the Barbican Operating Model was scheduled for decision by the committee. This item, presented by the Chief Operating Officer of the Barbican Centre, would likely involve a discussion and potential decision regarding the operational structure of the Barbican.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as approving the minutes of the previous meeting, declarations of interest, and any other urgent business. A motion was scheduled to be put forward to exclude the public from the meeting for certain items, citing the likely disclosure of exempt information under the Local Government Act 1972. This would lead into the non-public and confidential agenda items.