Construction projects are inherently high$-$risk due to their complexity, capital intensity, and exposure to multiple uncertainties, ranging from environmental and regulatory factors to contractual, financial, and operational risks. Effective governance is therefore critical in ensuring that risk is appropriately identified, assessed, and mitigated at both project and strategic levels. Construction companies, due to the scale and long$-$term nature of their projects, must ensure a balanced and functional board to manage strategic and operational risks effectively. Critically differentiate, by including practical examples, between the roles and importance of executive directors and non$-$executive directors in the risk management process of a construction company. Your answer should: Define the functions and legal responsibilities of both executive and non$-$executive directors within a board structure. Analyse how each type of director contributes to identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks specific to the construction industry. Discuss how the independence of non$-$executive directors adds value to project risk governance and decision$-$making. Provide a reasoned view on how the balance between executive and non$-$executive influence affects risk culture and strategic risk oversight in construction firms.