Many risk managers in Europe probably struggle to expand their role beyond that of insurance buyer

Indeed, some companies deliberately only seek knowledge of insurance markets and expertise in negotiating with intermediaries, and look to other areas of the organisation to identify and manage risk, often compartmentalising it into departments such as health and safety or finance. Risk/insurance managers in such organisations may be quite happy to restrict their role to buying insurance. There is nothing wrong with this state of affairs, provided that someone in a senior position is actually taking on the role of looking at risk across the whole organisation and synchronising initiatives and responses.

Look at your own organisation and ask where responsibilities and commitment lie. You may feel that you are just there to buy insurance - but insurance covers potential liabilities and losses - and who is managing them? Coordinate with other people, use your and their expertise and, if you are not there already, you may find that you have developed a true risk management role.

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