“I’m a huge admirer of Airmic” – Julia Graham on becoming technical director

Julia Graham has said that joining Airmic as technical director will give her the opportunity to do what she loves for a living and to “give something back” to the risk profession. Airmic announced last month that Julia will be joining Airmic in May, replacing Paul Hopkin who will be leaving the association this month after nearly nine years in the role.

Julia is the current president of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) and will keep this role until the expiry of her term of office in October this year. She will remain on the FERMA Board until June 2016.

Speaking to Airmic News, Julia said that after 11 years in her current role as director of risk and insurance at global law firm DLA Piper, it was time for a new challenge. “My work as president of FERMA has reawakened my love of where I came from – risk, insurance and business continuity. I enjoy working with the market and all the people in it, it really has been a privilege. So, while my role at Airmic will be different in many ways, it will give me the opportunity to work full-time in the profession and do what I love for a living.”

Julia already knows Airmic very well. She was chair in 2008/9 – during which time John Hurrell joined the association as chief executive – and has stayed close to the association since, including regular speaking engagements at many of its events.

“I’m a huge admirer of Airmic,” she says. “It’s in a really strong position at the moment and is doing a lot for the risk profession as a whole. I feel extremely privileged to be taking this job.”

As technical director, Julia will be responsible for the association’s technical output and thought leadership, including research and guidance for members on risk management and insurance-related issues. A key component of the job is raising the profile of risk within the business world, something that Julia has been a well-known advocate of throughout her career.

She has also been tasked with creating and leading Airmic’s Advisory Board – a new initiative designed to bring together some of Airmic's most senior risk managers. The Advisory Board will be up-and-running by the end of the year. “It will be an invaluable way for Airmic to tap into the vast knowledge of some of the country's most experienced risk leaders,” according to Julia. “It’s important to ensure we support the needs of all our members, including those at the top of their careers."

Julia has been a supporter of Airmic’s fastTrack initiative since it launched in January last year and gave the closing speech at their Forum this February. She says she is looking forward to working with fastTrack more closely when she takes up her new role. “I’ve always felt strongly about getting young people involved – developing the success of the next generation is so important.”

Julia is a high-profile addition to the Airmic team and has been warmly welcomed by John Hurrell, Airmic’c CEO. "We are thrilled that Julia has agreed to join Airmic,” he said. “She is one of the most respected professionals in the business and a true thought leader in her field. Julia will also be an outstanding guide and coach for our brilliant young team in the Airmic secretariat as well as being a natural leader for our Advisory Board."

Julia CV highlights

• Director of Risk and Insurance - DLA Piper (2004 - to date)
• President of FERMA (2013-to date) and Board member (current)
• Chair of Airmic (2008/9) and Board member
• Board member of the Chartered Insurance Institute and chair of its National Education Committee
• Head of Strategic and Operational Risk, Compliance and Insurance - RSA (1994 - 2004)
• Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute - Chartered Insurance Practitioner
• Fellow of the Business Continuity Institute

Julia Graham