ATTRACTING THE NEXT GENERATION TO RISK MANAGEMENT: STRATEGIES FOR A DYNAMIC FUTURE
One recurring concern for the risk management profession is how to attract and retain young talent in risk management. This question carries profound implications for the field’s relevance and resilience.
For many emerging professionals, risk management can seem like a compliance-heavy, restrictive discipline – a misconception that threatens to overshadow its strategic significance. To build a pipeline of skilled, innovative risk professionals, we must address these perceptions and reframe the field as a dynamic, impactful career that aligns with the values and aspirations of the next generation.
Reframing risk management: a career of strategy and opportunity
The risk management profession is at a turning point. Increasing regulatory complexity has, understandably, placed a strong focus on compliance across many organisations. However, there is a risk that this compliance-driven approach may reduce the role of risk professionals to one of ‘box ticking’ rather than strategic problem solving. This narrow perception fails to reflect the vital contribution risk management makes to organisational decision making and resilience.
At its best, risk management empowers organisations to thrive. It is about navigating uncertainty with confidence, identifying opportunities for innovation, and ensuring sustainability and resilience in an ever-changing environment. However, unlocking the potential requires more than individual effort; it demands collective action from leaders and practitioners across the profession. This collective responsibility extends to how risk is prioritising and embedding within organisations, requiring alignment from the top levels of leadership to the professionals executing strategy.
Jan-Mar 2025 Issue
Risk Management Institute of Australasia (RMIA)