Another World Is Possible: what to expect at Liverpool 2025

Over 2000 UK risk professionals will soon be gathering in Liverpool against a global backdrop of uncertainty and complexity. As Airmic CEO, Julia Graham, writes in her editorial, this is a time for risk professionals to show true leadership, and Airmic’s packed conference programme is designed to help our members do just that!

With over 50 sessions and world-class speakers, including a keynote speech from CEO and president of Intact, Charles Brindamour, delegates will come away with new knowledge and unique perspectives about managing risk in today’s ever-changing world.

Airmic’s head of events, Gemma Warren, sat down for a Q&A on all things conference-related, including tips for newcomers, the return of the conference app and much more.

In just under a week, Airmic is heading to Liverpool! What can we expect from Airmic 2025?

We have an amazing speaker line-up and few “firsts” up our sleeve.

Geopolitics has really shot up the priority list for our members this year, so the fact that we have three world-class journalists and international commentators – Clive Myrie, Robert Peston and Charles Hecker – will be a real highlight.

The exhibition is the biggest that we’ve ever had in Liverpool. This year for the first time we have four “mega stands”, so our thanks to Aviva, Allianz, RSA and Zurich for taking them over, they are going to be really impressive.

Kennedy’s are collaborating with Paws in Work to have puppies onsite in room 14 for wellness and mental wellbeing – I think they might steal the show!

What networking opportunities will there be and what would be your advice for any first-timers?

My first advice would be to downloads our conference app. It is back by popular demand and it will be a great tool for people to use to connect in advance.

Large events can be overwhelming for some people, especially those new to the profession, but it’s a really friendly and sociable event.

The exhibition hall is a good place to start – it’s always very interactive with lots of competitions and giveaways. And don’t forget to visit the Airmic stand to meet members of our team and discover the fantastic work Airmic is doing.

The programme includes lots of themed learning targeted at all stages of career, from those new to the profession to our really experienced members. This will help delegates connect with people at a similar career levels.

What are your top tips for getting the most out of the conference?

1. Plan ahead to identify sessions you want to attend, exhibitors you want to meet and people you would like to network with;

2. Network! Use the event app in advance and connect in-person onsite;

3. Attend social events;

4. Use social media to make people aware you will be in attendance;

5. Attend a variety of conference programme sessions.

As a girl from the Wirral, Gemma, you must know Liverpool well?

Yes, Liverpool is an amazing city! The people are so welcoming and it has a wealth of history and culture. I especially love the music and new bars with restaurants opening all the time. Of course, there’s also the football (although that could be divisive!), gorgeous beaches, parks, museums and galleries to visit.

The ACC itself is a really versatile space with modern facilities in a great location by the Albert Dock with views over the Mersey.

Other than the annual conference, tell us what else is involved in your role at Airmic.

The annual conference is one of the biggest in the risk and insurance calendar so that takes up a lot of my time. I work closely with our events manager, Shanice Dhesi, and we start planning for the next one literally as soon as one conference finishes.

But we’ve also developed a really diverse range of smaller-scale events, so Shanice and I oversee from conception to completion Airmic’s Annual Dinner and the Forum programme which includes the Risk Forum, Captives Forum and fastTrack Forum. We also organise our flagship event in Ireland, the Island of Ireland Conference.