Two risk specialists are honoured for their achievements in the field

Risk managers from across the continent gathered at StrategicRISK’s annual Risk Retreat conference last week to celebrate the achievements of two outstanding professionals who picked up this year’s StrategicRISK European risk manager awards.

The judging panel – editor Mike Jones, Transport for London head of risk and PM functional lead David Hancock, and Well U Trading international risk management director Lani Bannach – narrowed down the list of the five finalists shortlisted in May to two winners and created a new award in the process.

So high was the standard this year that they chose one overall winner and also celebrated the achievement of one risk manager who showed outstanding commitment to a unique project – the development of the London 2012 Olympic Games Park.

The 11th European Risk Manager of the Year is Adidas Insurance & Risk Consultants managing director Dieter Schmitt, for his development of a global compliance system.

The new award, for Outstanding Achievement in Risk Management for the Olympic Games project, goes to Tunstall Healthcare Group group risk and compliance director David Law (formerly chief risk officer/head of risk and audit at the Olympic Delivery Authority).

Announcing the award during the SR100 annual dinner, Jones said: “The award recognises those who have shown real commitment and enterprise to the risk management profession.

“Our newest award, for Outstanding Achievement in Risk Management goes to David Law. David is now at Tunstall Healthcare Group but this award recognises him for his previous role as chief risk officer/head of risk and audit at the Olympic Delivery Authority.

“David showed a high level of skill in drawing up a risk management strategy for developing the London Olympic Village and seeing it to fruition.

“Media cynics had anticipated that disaster would befall the 2012 London Olympics. David and his team ensured not only that this scenario was avoided but also in doing so they demonstrated what successful risk leadership can truly achieve.

“Our European Risk Manager of the Year for 2013 is also connected with sport. Adidas Insurance & Risk Consultants managing director Dieter Schmitt is most definitely a worthy winner.”

“Dieter is one of Europe’s most experienced and knowledgeable risk managers and it was his commitment to tackling a difficult and complex problem – developing a global compliance system – which won him the award.

“Dieter planned, oversaw and led the team which built and implemented the new system across the 3,500 locations in which Adidas operates. The system has been a huge success and we think that should be rewarded.”