Part of the Airmic EXPLAINED series of guides, this guide provides an introduction to the concept of risk appetite and addresses the myths, and the links with culture, maturity and sustainability. Defining and implementing risk appetite (often also referred to as a risk attitude) is a strategic activity that involves the Board and top management, as it must be aligned with strategic objectives, and requires consensus and engagement from the organisation’s leadership. This guide is essential reading for those new to the risk management profession, or for those who find themselves with a responsibility for risk management as part of a wider role.

The Insurance Act was the most fundamental change to UK law governing commercial insurance and reinsurance since the Marine Insurance Act 1906. It governs all polices placed, amended or renewed after the 12th August 2016 and aimed to address the imbalance between insurer and insured rights and encourage a deeper understanding of the risk by all relevant parties. The legislation made significant changes to: the pre-contract duty of disclosure, insurer remedies in the event of a breach of the new duty of fair representation and certain terms used in policy wordings. This guide aims to assist risk professionals in making the most of the benefits of the Insurance Act, while ensuring their own compliance with the duties placed upon them.

Companies seek to seize and deliver on opportunities that create long-term value that are aligned to their purpose. But every opportunity and every action (or inaction) has an associated risk. Investing is as much about assessing the risk as the related opportunity. This means that all organisations have a story to tell on these topics to investors, regulators and other stakeholders. But is this story clear, is it connected and does it reflect the organisation’s processes?

Some of the world’s biggest companies are setting ambitious net-zero targets, with significant implications for their supply chains. How impactful could the ripple effect be in helping to meet the goals set out in the Paris Agreement?