As we celebrate the golden jubilee of FERMA, we embark on a journey through time, revisiting the milestones that have defined our legacy in the risk management landscape. Over the past 50 years, FERMA has evolved from a visionary idea into a cornerstone of the risk management community, advocating for excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
1974
The Association Européenne des Assurés de l’Industrie (European Association of Industrial Insureds), or AEAI, was established as a result of the conclusion that there needed to be an organization capable of presenting a competent and powerful counterbalance to insurers on behalf of businesses. The federation which is now known as FERMA originally had six members: Belgium (GAI/VVI), France (GACI), Germany (VIV), Italy (ANRA), Netherlands (A.O.G.) and the UK (AIMIC).
1981
Launch of the joint AEAI – RIMS Risk Management Forum, which will be held every two years until 1999.
1995
AEAI becomes FERMA (Federation of European Risk Management Associations). The new name was considered more in line with the mission of the association.
1999
FERMA establishes a permanent office in Brussels with a full-time executive manager.
October 1999
FERMA introduced, for the first time, the principle of rotation around European cities and the local support of national member associations.
October 2000
First FERMA Risk Management Seminar, an educational event for European risk managers exclusively.
2000
Publication of FERMA first position paper on Alternative Risk Transfer Market Study. From there on, FERMA started to develop permanent contacts with the European Commission and to issue position papers on key legislative proposals of importance for the risk managers.
2002
First Edition of the FERMA Benchmarking Survey. The start of FERMA's bi-annual European survey aimed at benchmarking and providing invaluable insights into the evolving role, stakes, and activities of risk managers across Europe.
2005
FERMA new strategic direction emphasizing advocacy for risk managers and risk management at the European level through lobbying initiatives, while also promoting Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) as a crucial pillar of strategic management.
June 2016
Advocacy becomes the first pillar of FERMA’s action. Adoption by the General Assembly of a new strategic vision and mission relevant in the fast-changing landscape. As of this moment, FERMA has elevated the professionalism of its advocacy action, leading to heightened engagement from members in its various committees
December 2016
First ceremony of the European Risk Management Awards - the awards aim to unite risk managers and their trading partners across Europe, showcasing excellence, promoting awareness, and elevating the risk management profile within corporations.
January 2017
Signature of the first Strategic Partnership agreements with the main insurance industry leaders. FERMA moves from a logic of sponsoring to a logic of long-term partnership.
September 2017
Rimap commercial launch. FERMA RIMAP Certification becomes fully operational with an online examination, four sets of learning materials, and a Continuous Professional Development (CDP) system up and running.
October 2017
FERMA wins the BEPS initiative Award of the year at the European Captive Awards for its work and paper “Captives in a Post-BEPS World”.
2019
On Europe Day, FERMA published its first EU Manifesto presenting its priorities for the policy-makers in the EU Institutions for the next institutional mandate (2019-2024).
2020
FERMA COVID-19 Response - FERMA was the first organization at the EU level to propose a pan-European catastrophe resilience framework in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
Organisation of the FERMA Talks filmed in a TV studio and streamed across Europe and beyond with face-to-face interviews and live panel discussions with high-level European speakers.
2022
First contribution to the rotating Presidency of the European Council starting with France. A new statement is issued every 6 months at the start of a new Presidency.
2023
First joint-industry report on cyber insurance which addresses the challenges faced by all participants in the cyber insurance chain and highlights the potential for Europe to become a global leader in developing state backed solutions for risks that cannot be covered by the private insurance market alone.
2024
FERMA Rebranding: new logo and website - FERMA unveiled a new logo and website for its 50th-anniversary celebrations. This rebranding reflects FERMA's continuous evolution and commitment to representing the risk management community with a fresh and modern identity.
These dates and events represent the pillars upon which FERMA has built its legacy, showcasing the evolution of risk management as a critical discipline and FERMA’s role as a leading advocate and resource for professionals in the field.
Our presidents
- 1974 to 1977 – Henk Arntz – The Netherlands
- 1977 to 1984 – François Jaeger – France
- 1984 to 1994 – François Settembrino – Belgium
- 1994 to 1999 – Hugh Loader – The United Kingdom
- 1999 to 2001 – Maurizio Castelli – Italy
- 2001 to 2005 – Thierry van Santen – France
- 2005 to 2009 – Marie-Gemma Dequae – Belgium
- 2009 to 2011 – Peter den Dekker – The Netherlands
- 2011 to 2013 – Jorge Luzzi – Italy
- 2013 to 2015 – Julia Graham – The United Kingdom
- 2015 to 2019 – Jo Willaert– Belgium
- 2019 to 2023 – Dirk Wegener – Germany
- 2024 – Charlotte Hedemark – Denmark
Growth and Alliance: 50 Years Together
