Iain Wright, CMIRM, Chief Risk Officer, Europe, Great-West Lifeco Inc. has been announced as the incoming Chairman for the IRM. Iain has served as Deputy Chair since May 2018 and as Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee since December 2016. Iain takes over from former Chair Socrates Coudounaris CFIRM, Executive Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Reinsurance Group of America.
Iain Wright outlines his plans for the forthcoming period:
“I am in the fortunate position of being able to build on the good work done by the CEO 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”.
Iain outlines the following four priorities for his period as Chair:
1. 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.
2. Integration of the Institute of Operational Risk, which joined the IRM group in 2019
3. Having received members’ approval to change the Articles at the 2018 AGM, exploring whether now is the right time to move to a “professional” Chair
4. Leading the board in exploring whether it is right to move to charitable status for the IRM, which would naturally involve approval from the membership.
He continues:
“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 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”.
Socrates Coudounaris said:
“It has been a pleasure and a great privilege to serve the IRM over the past few years. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone who has put in the hard work and determination to take the IRM into its current position of strength.
The IRM Group is now looking at a bright future and has the strategy, products, people and proposition to achieve its plans in the very capable hands of Iain Wright.
As an IRM member, I look forward to celebrating its future successes together.”
