Put risk managers at the heart of your business, Airmic new chair tells insurers

Airmic chair Helen Pope has called for risk managers and their insurers to work together to tackle the challenges facing the industry.

In her inaugural speech, she said there was more need for “openness, trust and transparency” between buyers and sellers of insurance. She called for brokers and insurers to “understand our DNA” and to “put our interests at the heart of what you do”.

Pope also called for more outcomes-based policies instead of perils-based ones. In the current system, she said, insureds are left exposed to the risk that if, for example, their building burns down it may fall between gaps in their policy cover. “Why can’t I just have a policy that covers me for fire?” she challenged.

Setting out her stall for her year in office, Pope said that engaging with those in the industry who are under-represented will also be a key target. She is aiming for greater participation among women and bringing young people into the industry.

With 40% female membership at Airmic, the industry has come a long way since the days when she often found herself to be the only woman in the room.  But more needs to be done to encourage participation, and “I want to understand the challenges facing women,” she told her audience.

Helen-Clare Pope
Airmic Chair 2014