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Past IRM Annual Lectures
 

 

2007 - Why is Miss Whiplash always more interesting? - challenging negative perceptions of risk management

with Tim Smit

Public perceptions of risk management are commonly framed around prevention, not creation. So-called 'bonkers conkers' stories and the banning for sale of mince pies by WI groups paint the discipline in a very negative light. Yet all significant human development has involved risk: embracing it, not hiding from it.

In 2007 Tim Smit, Chief Executive and co-founder of the Eden Project, gave his views on risk taking, value creation and human endeavour. At a more fundamental level, he revealed to the audience what he feels makes large social projects a success and where the pitfalls commonly lie. Obviously issues of climate change remain very much in the news and Tim discussed, by reference to his work at the Eden Project, what we as individuals might practically do.

As for the Miss Whiplash question, why do the positive aspects and effects of risk management never get given the same tabloid headline prominence?

Tim spoke without using presentation slides

 


Previous events

2006 - Sir John Krebs  Chairman of the UK Food Standards Agency

2005 - Felix Kloman   outspoken risk management commentator
2004 - Sir Clive Woodward   head coach of the world cup winning England rugby team

2003 - Stelios Haji-Ioannou   founder of easyJet and chairman of easyGroup
2002 - Lord Justice Brooke  Court of Appeal Judge, Royal Courts of Justice

2001 - Sir John Bourne   Controller and Auditor General, National Audit Office


 

 

2006 - Living with Risk

with Sir John Krebs

The 2006 annual lecture was delivered by Sir John Krebs on the subject of 'Living with Risk'. Sir John is Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, and the first Chairman of the UK Food Standards Agency.

The annual lecture welcomed risk professionals from a broad range of organisations, and at every level.

Sir John Kreb's presentation (pdf - 4.30Mb large download file)

 

Felix Kloman - IRM Annual Lecture 20052005 - Seventh IRM Annual Lecture

with Felix Kloman

 

Outspoken risk management commentator Felix Kloman prepared Risk Management and Monty Python for the 2005 IRM Annual Lecture as an irreverent and "completely different" look at a number of aspects of our discipline, all through the Gospel According to Monty Python.

The talk is available for download below, and consists of three sections:

  1. Concerns about trust and the focus of the profession, illustrated using the insurance industry as an example
  2. The fragmentation of the risk management profession, and thoughts on working together
  3. The nature of risk itself

 

For more information on the speaker, see Felix Kloman: Speaker Profile

The seventh IRM Annual Lecture was held in the morning of 10 October 2005 in the Tower Room, Willis, London, with breakfast served beforehand thanks to the sponsor, Willis.


 
 
2004 - Sir Clive Woodward

The IRM was delighted to announce the participation of Sir Clive Woodward in their sixth annual lecture. Sir Clive, head coach of the world cup winning England rugby team, was invited to present as a guest of Zurich.

Zurich were the proud sponsors of the England team in Australia in 2003 and are sponsors of the English rugby premiership.

The lecture was delivered on Thursday 20th May in the Tower Room, Willis Ltd London.

The support of Willis Ltd in providing the venue is much appreciated.


 

2003 - Stelios Haji-Ioannou -

“Entrepreneurial risk – challenging the standards”

Stelios presenting
“If you think safety is expensive try an accident”
The annual lecture was given by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of EasyJet and chairman of EasyGroup, on the subject of “Entrepreneurial risk – challenging the standards” on Thursday June 12th.

This was the fifth IRM annual lecture and was sponsored by Willis plc. The IRM is keen to broaden its base among all risk professionals and sees this event as a key part of that process.

Said IRM chairman Paul Howard “We were delighted that Stelios agreed to present the annual lecture this year. He gave a fascinating insight into the practical problems associated with entrepreneurial risk, and the quality of the event was a perfect launch for the new IRM.”

Paul Howard, IRM Chairman, introduced the talk.

Introduction (PowerPoint )

Press release (pdf -72Kb)

Stelios and  Paul Howard talking
Stelios Haji-Ioannou and Paul Howard, IRM chairman



2002 & 2001

2002 Psychiatric illness and the law Lord Justice Brooke PowerPoint presentation
2001 Reinforcing Positive Approaches to Risk Management in Government. Sir John Bourne
Controller and
Auditor General
National Audit Office
Transcript of the paper
(pdf - 52Kb)