posted 31st October 2025
In the intricate world of resilience planning, we pride ourselves on expecting the unexpected — but every so often, something comes along that still raises a few eyebrows.
A medieval abbey beneath the proposed new Chinese embassy site is exactly that sort of twist — the kind that would sound too far-fetched for any training scenario. This was already a difficult decision, balancing planning and national security, and now it comes with a historical curveball that no one saw coming.
In the public sector, we know that these unexpected elements have real-world impacts, and our responsibility is to handle them thoughtfully.
But this is exactly why incident command always needs reserves — not just resources, but mental flexibility and the capacity to adapt to the wild cards history throws our way. It’s a reminder that our best-laid plans must always include a margin for the truly bizarre.
That’s why resilience planning isn’t just about having a plan — it’s about having the flexibility and depth to adapt, even when the surprises are this extraordinary.
So, while we maintain open-mindedness about the oddities that come our way, we never lose sight of the fact that resilience planning is about being prepared for the truly unpredictable and managing it with both professionalism and care.
If your organisation needs expert support in emergency planning, training, exercising, and red-teaming, reach out to Applied Resilience.
We’re here to help you prepare for whatever history — or the future — might have in store.
