The Institute of Risk Management has appointed a new independent non-executive chair.

Stephen Sidebottom (pictured), MA, MBA, Chartered FCIPD, FRSA today takes over as chairman from Iain Wright, CMIRM, chief risk officer, Europe, Canada Life. Mr Sidebottom has over 30 years’ international experience of working in HR and organisational development primarily in global financial services and in both private and public sectors. He also has nearly 20 years’ experience on the boards of various membership associations.

Iain Wright, CFIRM outgoing chair comments: “I am very pleased to announce that my successor, Stephen Sidebottom, will start in post on 1 June. Stephen has spent many years in leadership positions in world leading banks and has extensive international experience in growing, shaping and buying businesses. Stephen is eminently qualified to lead the board into the next phase of the Institute’s journey where we can grow in the post pandemic world and I look forward to working with Stephen and the rest of the board over the next months as we develop and implement plans to take us into an exciting future.

“My almost one and a half years as chair have been dominated by the IRM’s reaction to Covid-19 and I am very pleased to see how the staff, led by the chief executive, have moved the Institute to the positive position it is in today, able to deliver qualifications, exams and training remotely.

“Despite the pandemic, the Institute is better placed than ever and we are now at a point where we can take advantage of those digital developments and our financial strength to start on the next phase of our journey to consolidate our position as the world’s leading body for enterprise risk management.

“My thanks go to the board, the chief executive and all the staff at the Institute for their support, professionalism and unstinting dedication during my period as chair. As an IRM member, I look forward to celebrating its future successes together.”

Stephen Sidebottom said: “I’m delighted to take on the role of chair of the IRM at this important point in its growth. Over the last year managing risk has been at the forefront of business leaders’ minds, and as we start to come through the COVID-19 crisis the IRM has a unique opportunity to use its outstanding expertise in risk management to strengthen the role of professionally qualified risk managers in addressing future risks. As the pre-eminent global risk management institute, I believe the IRM is ideally placed to champion the debate about the skills and risk management approaches that risk professionals and organisations need to succeed.

“The Institute is at an exciting time in its history, where we can look forward and really make our mark. We will be increasing the diversity and content of our product portfolio, in both qualifications and training. I am particularly keen to see the Institute continue to operate in global markets and expand internationally.

“I aim to lead the board with vigour and commitment through this next stage. During Iain’s term we have gone from strength-to-strength and I’m looking forward to continuing his good work and playing a key part in professionalising risk management globally”.

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