Firstly, as this is my inaugural column for CIR, I’d like to thank outgoing chairman Socrates Coudounaris for his unerring work in this post over the last couple of years. I am in the fortunate position of being able to build on the good work done by the CEO, staff and the immediately preceding chairs in stabilising the Institute’s financial position, building a strong board and starting the next phase of our growth. We are now in a position where we can capitalise on that financial strength to drive towards fulfilling the Institute’s vision.

As such, my four priorities include a focus on the heart of the Institute – in particular, qualifications, training and thought leadership, really fulfilling our role as the pre-eminent global risk management body; the integration of the Institute of Operational Risk, which joined the IRM group in 2019; the exploration of whether now is the right time to move to a ‘professional’ chairman, having received members’ approval to change the Articles at the 2018 AGM; and leading the board in exploring whether it is right to move the IRM to charitable status, which would naturally involve membership approval.

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 continue to operate and expand in international markets.

I aim to lead the board with vigour and commitment through this next stage. During Socrates’ 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. And, in addition to the leading qualifications in ERM in the insurance sector, the IRM International Certificates, we have also launched our new Supply Chain Risk Management Certificate – developed with the Supply Chain Risk Management Consortium. The qualification provides a broad understanding of supply chain risk management principles and practices – a valuable asset in any risk manager's toolkit.

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