Wegener: “Cooperation is essential. Resilience is critical”

Over the past year the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) has increased its advocacy and visibility at EU level, used technology to strengthen its network of members, and continued to develop its Rimap certification for professional risk managers, according to its president, Dirk Wegener. 

“The last year has not been an easy time, but we are seeing the fruits of investment in risk management and resilience as we move into a recovery phase. We can highlight positive developments worldwide and in Europe,” he told the virtual General Assembly of FERMA’s 22 member associations.  

“We have learned a great deal which I would sum up in two short sentences: Cooperation is essential. Resilience is critical.”

In his presentation to the associations, Wegener used the themes of recovery and resilience to link FERMA’s activities for the past year and future projects. 

Looking ahead, he outlined the range of current FERMA projects, including sustainability reporting and governance, increased insurance data sharing, proportionality for captive regulation, risks related to remote working and a resilience survey.

He concluded by saying: “We have a once in a lifetime chance to emerge stronger from the pandemic, transform our economies, and create opportunities and jobs for a greener, more digital and more resilient Europe.”

During the Assembly Wegener was re-elected a member of the FERMA Board at the General Assembly and re-elected to another two year mandate as President at the Board meeting which followed. 

In addition to his responsibilities at FERMA, he is global head of Corporate Insurance for Deutsche Bank and a member of the German risk management association GVNW. He is Rimap certified.

Laurence Eeckman was elected to the Board for the first time. She is vice president Group Risk Management AB Electrolux and a member of SWERMA. 

She fills the place of Maria Isabel Martínez who had come to the end of her mandate of nine years. Wegener thanked Martínez for her long contribution to FERMA, in particular to the creation and development of Rimap.