The Institute of Risk Management (IRM) has announced its speakers for its annual Global Risk Management Professional Development Forum, in Liverpool from March 21 to 23, 2011. Delegates will be able to explore topics as diverse as human behaviour, space exploration, cyber crime and animal survival tactics.
Opening speaker is Dr Jeevan Perera, Risk Manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre. Dr Perera will explain how NASA rebuilt its risk management culture and processes following the 2003 Colombia Space Shuttle explosion, establishing foundations for the new Orion space programme that will eventually return astronauts to the moon and mount human expeditions to Mars.
Gert Cruywagen from Tsogo Sun Group, South African Risk Manager of the Year, wildlife enthusiast and TV personality, will be speaking on ‘Jungle Risk Management’: how animals in the African bush manage their risks (or not) to avoid becoming prey and then relating these risk strategies to organisations. Gert’s planned appearance at the IRM’s 2010 Forum was frustrated by volcanic ash travel difficulties.
Information security risk
Paul Dwyer, Security GRC Principal at Irish telecoms company eircom, will explain the complex and underground business of cyber crime and explore the motivations and rewards of the participants in this virtual economy. He will delve into the link between cyber crime, cyber terrorism and warfare and will seek to outline the threats posed to business, critical national infrastructure and the economy.
To close the conference, IRM is delighted to be bringing to the UK an academics in the field of risk psychology, heuristics and decision making. Prof Gerd Gigerenzer, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Berlin, will be speaking on the topic of risk literacy. He will explain why many people, laymen and experts alike, are functionally illiterate when it comes to understanding statistical evidence and hence draw wrong conclusions and make poor decisions. With particular reference to medical and financial risks, Professor Gigerenzer will emphasise the importance of risk literacy in society and explore what can be done to improve it.
The Forum will also feature a range of specialist workshops from risk practitioners and academics on hot topics in practical risk management, ranging from risk appetite to cloud computing.
Steve Fowler, Chief Executive of IRM, said: “Our Forums continue to go from strength to strength, reinforcing IRM’s position as the leading provider of professional development for enterprise risk professionals at all stages in their careers. We offer an opportunity to hear from the best in the risk business, in a relaxed educational environment.”
The Forum runs on March 21-23, 2011 at the BT Convention Centre, Liverpool, UK. Online booking is now open via the website at –
