By Maurizio Castelli, Former FERMA President
The 75th anniversary of RIMS this year provides an opportunity for us to reflect on how the world of risk management has changed over the years.
One of the biggest evolutions of the profession in recent years is a shift from a core operational function, to a boardroom priority. As someone who has been in the risk profession for many, many years and seen this transformation unfold, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the role of the risk manager has expanded dramatically in both scope and strategic relevance.
Risk professionals are increasingly engaged at the highest levels of corporate governance, addressing an ever-growing array of complex, interconnected threats. Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues now sit alongside traditional risks, underscoring the need for a holistic and proactive approach.
This evolution of risk has redefined the risk manager’s mandate. Today’s practitioners are strategic advisors, embedded within senior leadership teams, and essential to ensuring organisational resilience and sustainable growth.
How Brokers Must Adapt
This shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity for insurance brokers. The traditional model, narrowly focused on insurance placement, is no longer sufficient. To remain relevant, brokers must reposition themselves as consultative partners, capable of supporting risk managers across their broader mandate to assess and control risk at the highest level.
Forward-thinking brokers are investing in new capabilities, either organically or through strategic alliances, to deliver services such as cyber risk assessments, penetration testing, crisis management planning, and business continuity consulting. These offerings are especially valuable to organisations lacking in-house expertise and underscore the broker’s potential to act as an integrated risk advisor.
It’s here that Brokerslink is making the biggest impact. As a global network of insurance and risk specialists, we have a host of value-added services our brokers can offer to their clients, helping them to take a more proactive and strategic approach to risk.
Our Risk Management Practice collates risk expertise from all around the world into one place, allowing Brokerslink’s Partners and Affiliates to benefit from consultancy and solutions developed by some of the world’s leading risk specialists.
Building a common language
As the world of risk changes, brokers must be able to communicate effectively with risk professionals. Certifications like the RIMS-CRMP help establish a shared language and knowledge base, enabling more productive collaboration between brokers and their clients.
It is not enough for brokers to simply offer advanced services. Their professionals must be equipped to articulate the value and application of these offerings in a way that resonates with risk managers. Continuous education and professional development are essential to bridging this capability gap.
Last year, we were proud to partner with RIMS to offer RIMS-CRMP preparatory workshops to our Partners and Affiliates and their risk manager clients. We’ve already seen some success stories, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of our colleagues receive their certifications!
The road ahead
The future of risk management is integrated, strategic, and multidisciplinary. In this context, insurance is just one element of a broader risk ecosystem. Brokers who recognise this paradigm shift—and who evolve accordingly—will not only remain relevant but become indispensable partners.
By aligning more closely with the strategic priorities of risk managers, speaking their language, and delivering value beyond traditional insurance placement, brokers can help shape a more resilient, forward-looking business environment. This collaborative evolution benefits all stakeholders—enhancing the effectiveness of risk management and ensuring stronger, more adaptive organisations.
I look forward to discussing these issues with my friends and colleagues at RISKWORLD 2025!
