Risk Management | Events | Governance Forum

Risk Management - its importance and value in a time of uncertainty [Online Webinar]

12 November 2020

11:00–12:30

Institute of Public Administration, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4

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Please email governance@ipa.ie for further assistance.

Risk is the effect of uncertainty and we all experience the pervasive nature of uncertainties on a daily basis, be it organisationally, professionally and personally. Effective risk management, as part of good governance, provides a framework for a disciplined approach to examining uncertainties and facilitating good and informed decision-making. It is a useful tool to analyse and communicate risk, and to better appreciate the context within which the organisation is operating. Embedding effective risk management into a Board’s and organisation’s modus operandi requires strong leadership and a culture, which emphasises critical thinking and risk awareness.

This Forum event will consider how best to embed risk management and discuss the practical implications of effective risk management for the Board and senior management team. It will consider key questions, such as:

What makes for good risk reporting and how do the risk process and risk registers contribute to communicating and reporting risk?
What are the key factors in successfully embedding effective risk management and making sure it adds value to decision-making, oversight and accountability arrangements?
What are the lessons and benefits deriving from a risk maturity assessment?
What are the contemporary challenges facing Boards and senior management teams and the wider economy?
Should 'opportunities' form a more explicit part of the risk management process?
How should an organisation set its risk appetite and what is the role of the Board, Audit and Risk Committee and Senior Management in this regard?

Speakers

Elaine O'Donoghue

Elaine is Group Head of Risk for Ervia with responsibility for Business Continuity and Crisis Management. Ervia is the parent company of Irish Water, Gas Networks Ireland and Aurora Telecom

Previously, Elaine worked as a Risk Consultant across the Irish Utility sector for EY, and prior to this was based in London where she worked in Banking (Goldman Sachs) and the Food Industry (Tate and Lyle Sugar Trading), before moving to the Oil and Gas Utility sector at BP.

Nick Davies

Nick is an experienced Chartered Accountant and Chartered Director, who has worked in the Audit and Business Consulting Profession and Public Sector for more than 40 years. He is currently a non-executive director with two not-for-profit organisations and a business consultant providing advice to organisations in various sectors including privately-owned businesses, financial services and state bodies.

Nick's areas of expertise include Risk Management, Strategy and Business Plan development, Corporate Governance and Financial Reporting, including the disclosures required in respect of an organisation’s strategy, risks and business model.

Nick's previous non-executive experience includes directorships of privately-owned businesses, a commercial radio station, a financial services entity and an NHS UK Hospital

Dr Deirdre Bane

Deirdre is a Senior Finance Specialist in the IPA Governance Team, delivering Financial Management, Audit and Internal Control Training and assistance programmes together with consultancy services to various public, state and semi-state bodies, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Previous to her position at the IPA, Deirdre worked in education for over thirteen years as a Lecturer in Finance, teaching Financial and Management Accounting (including Financial Statement Analysis), Corporate Finance and Financial Management (Investment Appraisal), and Economic and Statistics.

Prior to her experience in education, Deirdre spent ten years in the United States, working in the financial services sector (including equity research and asset management). In addition, she worked for an independent consulting practice performing economic impact analysis studies, economic development planning, social research and analysis, and providing strategic planning services to government, non-profit and corporate clients in the United States.