Our colleagues from the Strategy, Planning and Insight Office (SPIO) recently earned recognition at the ALARM Risk Awards in Manchester. ALARM, a not-for-profit association, supports excellence in risk management through education, training, and providing industry best practice.
The University won awards in two categories: the Organisational Award for innovative use of Office 365 in managing institutional risk and opportunities, and the Resilience Award for enhancing student support services with a £1.3 million investment.
L-R: Awards presenter, Sam Dale, Stephen Little, Chris Walker, Becky Mollon, Kirsten Shale and comedian Zoe Lyons
Additionally, Chris Walker, Head of Risk Management, received an Honorary Lifetime Membership of ALARM for his significant contributions and active participation in the organisation.
Joining in the celebration, we took the opportunity to speak to Chris to find out more about Risk Management at the University.
Congratulations, what does it feel like winning these awards?
I’m absolutely delighted for the team – we have made significant progress over the past two years in developing a new risk management and reporting framework, and it's great to see our efforts recognised by peers across the sector.
It was fantastic that Stephen, Becky, Kirsten and Sam were also able to attend the ALARM awards as, without their input, advice and support, we would not be in the position that we're in today.
While I knew we had been shortlisted for the Organisational and Resilience awards, it was still a complete shock when the University was announced as the winner in both categories. This success is testament to the hard work and dedication of colleagues across SPIO, the Strategy Delivery Unit, and Student Support and Wellbeing.
Receiving an Honorary Lifetime Membership of ALARM was a huge surprise but an absolute honour – I have been involved with the organisation for the last 11 years and I am passionate about the important role it plays in supporting risk and insurance professionals.
Tell us a bit more about yourself and your role…
I joined the University in April 2022, having not worked in the Higher Education sector before. I have had roles in both the public and private sector, and I think this set me in good stead as it allowed me to consider several different ideas, frameworks, and options when implementing a new approach for the University. I have always been passionate about the value that risk management provides – it enables effective decision-making which in turn, increases the probability of success.
In the absence of a robust risk management framework, outcomes can be poor, services inefficient and legal, financial and regulatory obligations compromised. While not all risks can be eliminated, our framework provides a consistent approach to the identification, analysis and management of risk.
In my role I am responsible for developing and overseeing the framework, and how this aligns with the University’s strategic objectives and processes. My role is predominantly advisory, supporting risk owners to understand exposures and develop robust action plans to manage and mitigate threats. Communication is a key aspect of strong risk management, and I work in collaboration with stakeholders across the University to guide them on managing their identified risks.
What are your main priorities in the next six months?
One of my main priorities is to continue the roll-out of our new Risk Management Hub and reporting solution, which we have developed in-house. This will involve working with departments, faculties and service areas to raise awareness of the tools that are available, but also their responsibilities in making sure that we have a clear view of our risk environment.
I will also be working with colleagues across our University Executive Committee to further strengthen our approach to the management of strategic risks, specifically around financial sustainability, brand, and value proposition.
What does a typical day look like for you?
While this sounds like a cliché, in risk management, no two days are the same! One moment, I might be involved in developing action plans, engaging in scenario planning, or implementing policy changes. The next moment, I am helping people understand the risks they’ve identified, gaining a deep understanding of their concerns and what keeps them awake at night.
Chris’s day:
6am: I have always been an early riser and tend to start my day by walking our dog, Tilly, before having a cup of coffee and catching up on the news.
6.45am: As a father of two, my next job is making sure both Lily (14) and Poppy (9) are up and ready for school, which is sometimes harder than it sounds!
7.15am: Leave the house for on campus day to be at my desk for 8am.
8.45am: Another cup of coffee (there is a theme here already!) while working through emails and prioritising actions for the day. Sometimes, my plans change significantly, depending on what has landed in my inbox. Despite this, I always make time to read the WONKHE and HEPI briefings as these provide a great insight into policy changes that might introduce (or assist in the mitigation of) risk for the University.
9am: I always try to make the time to catch up with the team, with conversations ranging from workload to the football. Working remotely during the pandemic emphasised how important it is to really understand the people you work with. After all, we spend a large amount of time at work and probably speak to colleagues more often than we do our own families!
11am: We tend to have a team meeting just before lunch when we are all on campus, and use this opportunity to share ideas, challenges, and learn from colleagues across the institution through guest speakers. On other days, this is usually ‘prime time’ for meetings with risk and action owners, especially when Audit and Risk Committee is on the horizon!
12 noon: I am usually quite hungry by midday so tend to take my lunch at around this time. I aim to grab some fresh air and time away from the laptop over lunch, if I am working remotely this usually involves walking the dog or – when the sun makes an appearance – sitting in the garden.
1pm: This largely depends on what has happened over lunch – I try not to schedule meetings at 1pm just in case anything urgent requires attention.
2pm: My third (and final) caffeine hit for the day!
4pm: I try to avoid meetings after 4pm if possible and tend to use this time for CPD and/or preparation for the upcoming day.
7pm: After helping the girls with their homework, I aim to get to the gym for around 7pm. I used to run three or four times a week but since turning 40 I have shifted my attention to strength training which I am really enjoying.
Chris at one of the charity fun runs
What do you enjoy doing when you don’t look after the University’s Risk Management framework?
Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with my wife, Nicci, and two children. I try to give something back to my local community where possible and organise two annual charity fun runs in the local area to raise money for those in need – last year we were able to raise £8,000 which helped to support over 100 families, predominantly through the provision of food hampers at Christmas.
How do you look after your mental health?
Mental health is hugely important to me. In 2021 I suffered a breakdown following a period of significant disruption at home and work, and recovering from this has really helped me to prioritise both my physical and mental wellbeing. Making time to connect with people, getting plenty of fresh air and noticing the little things that make us happy keep me focused.
What is your favourite food?
As a proud Teessider, I have to say a Parmo don’t I!
Where has been your best holiday?
I have just returned from a trip to Nashville and, while this was work related (I was attending a risk management conference), I was able to take Nicci with me and we made the most of our free time by sightseeing, exploring downtown, and seeing a show at the Grand Ole Opry. I also take my girls camping each year; we go to the same site in Rosedale Abbey that I used to go to when I was growing up which is lovely!