Airmic is handing the mic to the next generation through its shadow board. The initiative allows rising risk stars to share their fresh and diverse perspectives while offering those future leaders exceptional boardroom-level access and experience.
Airmic has launched a shadow board initiative that aims to empower the next generation of risk professionals, giving them a voice and preparing them for strategic leadership roles.
Designed to promote and develop future talent, Airmic’s shadow board will off er younger members a platform to contribute fresh thinking and diverse insights. Further successful applicants will be announced at the Airmic annual conference.
“We live in challenging, fast-moving times,” says Julia Graham, chief executive of Airmic.
“Diversity in thought and experience has never been more important. We are fortunate to have a dynamic Airmic board with a wide sector and gender representation, but we are also conscious that understanding emerging risks and opportunities presented by new technology and from looking at our world through a different lens are vital to the longterm success of Airmic.
“I welcome the development of a shadow board to broaden the insights available to our directors, and to contribute to the transparency, efficiency and accountability within our association.”
Martyn Smyth adds: “Joining the Airmic shadow board is a unique opportunity to shape the future of risk management and insurance. As a member of the shadow board, you’ll gain invaluable insights and collaborate with industry leaders. I believe that diversity is key to driving innovation and excellence. By bringing together individuals from varied backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, we can better address the complex challenges facing our industry.”
MEET THE SHADOW BOARD CHAIR
StrategicRISK caught up with the chair of the shadow board, Taiwo Omo-Ikerodah, enterprise risk account manager, group risk, at Network Rail. We discussed her ambitions, refl ections on the profession’s future, and why she believes initiatives like this are crucial for evolving risk management.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE BIGGEST EMERGING THREATS FACING BUSINESSES TODAY?
Inflationary pressures – trade and tariff disruptions, supply chain risk, cybersecurity threats – Spain, Portugal losing power to 90% of the country, regulatory scrutiny, escalating geopolitical instability in Ukraine/ Russia, Israel/Gaza, climate risk, artificial intelligence, regulatory scrutiny, and third-party risk management are among the most significant emerging threats facing businesses today.
HOW DO YOU THINK THE RISK PROFESSION NEEDS TO EVOLVE TO BE READY TO MANAGE THESE RISKS?
The risk profession should be proactive in addressing these risks. We accomplish this by incorporating risk management into the core business strategy, organisation culture, using and applying available technology, and delivering predictive analysis to improve effi ciency and transparency.
The risk profession should also broaden its worldwide dialogue by fostering international dialogue to address common challenges. Risk management necessitates a systematic, data-driven approach. This will help businesses and decision-makers navigate global uncertainty and build resilience.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR RISK MANAGERS OF THE FUTURE?
The future of risk management will require a diverse set of talents, making it diffi cult to identify a single talent. Future risk managers should possess strategic thinking, problem solving, analytical, financial, and regulatory knowledge, relationship-building skills, people management, and leadership skills.
Analytics, compliance and strategic planning skills are critical for effectively managing financial and operational risks.
WHY DID YOU JOIN THE AIRMIC SHADOW BOARD, AND HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE (AND AIRMIC’S ROLE) IN HELPING RISK MANAGERS TO CONTINUE TO EVOLVE?
I joined the Airmic shadow board to make a difference, help defi ne the future of risk management and insurance, be a voice for upcoming risk and insurance managers, contribute value, and give back to Airmic for its significant impact on my professional path.
We live in a fast-paced, ever-changing and diverse world. My role is to support current and future risk and insurance managers by incorporating and translating their ideas into Airmic’s board of directors, strategy and objectives.
Mine and Airmic’s responsibilities include managing future risk and insurance challenges while delivering insights to directors, and promoting efficiency, transparency, and responsibility.
HOW MENTORING UNLOCKS POTENTIAL
Alongside the shadow board, Airmic also runs a mentoring scheme to support emerging talent in the risk profession. Participants are matched with experienced professionals to help them navigate challenges, identify opportunities and accelerate their development.
For many, it’s been a career-changing experience. “I highly recommend the Airmic mentorship programme to everyone,” says Taiwo Omo-Ikerodah, enterprise risk account manager at Network Rail.
“The mentors on the Airmic panel come from various walks of life and have years of experience. I joined the scheme at a crucial time in my career and was seeking advice on how to stand out and what opportunities to look for in advancing my career in risk management. Meetings with my mentor have been enlightening, helping me challenge myself.
“My mentor has offered me impartial support, giving me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, take on new challenges, and prepare for potential future opportunities. I enthusiastically recommend the Airmic mentorship programme to students and members.”
From the mentor’s perspective, the programme also offers valuable two-way learning. “As a mentor, I was able to provide advice and guidance to mentees to help them with career goals and more immediate work-related challenges,” says Richard Hoult, global head of compliance at Synthomer plc.
“It’s been great to share ideas of both what has and has not worked for people in a similar position. I found the platform easy to use for the initial contact with the mentees and it also provided reminders to get the best out of the mentoring process.”
BLOG: Airmic Conference 2025 Daily News Summary
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Meet the Airmic shadow board chair: Network Rail’s Taiwo Omo-Ikerodah
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