Last week, 15 presidents of FERMA’s national member associations gathered in Brussels for a two-day strategic workshop designed to strengthen collaboration across the European risk management community. It was the first time that FERMA brought most of its national presidents together specifically for a collective strategic workshop, marking the beginning of a new chapter in how we work together.
The workshops provided a dedicated space for open dialogue, reflection, and co-creation. Presidents shared the realities of their national contexts, explored the challenges they face, and identified the opportunities that arise when we connect our strengths across borders.
At the heart of the discussions was a common recognition: we achieve more when we learn, speak, and advance together.
Three Strategic Pillars for Collective Progress:
- Communication: Associations highlighted the importance of making national achievements more visible at the European level. Participants identified practical ways to share stories, amplify each other’s voice, and create a clearer sense of belonging across the network.
- Expertise: The workshop also confirmed the value of pooling knowledge. Whether on cyber resilience, sustainability, geopolitical risk or new regulatory developments, our network holds deep expertise. Reinforcing and actively using these channels for knowledge exchange will support more coherent advocacy and strengthen the position of risk management in Europe.
- Education: Supporting the next generation of risk professionals is a shared priority. Presidents discussed opportunities to align training efforts, promote professional development pathways such as the Rimap certification, and exchange learning resources across countries to help strengthen skills and recognition of the profession across Europe.
These actions are intentionally practical and achievable, ensuring momentum continues beyond the room.
This gathering represents the start of a renewed way of working together:
more connected, more supportive, and more aligned.
FERMA will continue to nurture this momentum by supporting further exchanges, strengthening connections across the network, and keeping collaboration active in the months ahead.
Philippe Cotelle, President of FERMA: “This workshop showed the strength of our community. Each association brings experience, knowledge and commitment. When we connect these assets, we create real value for the profession, for businesses and for society. What matters now is to turn this momentum into concrete actions”.
Annemarie Schouw, Vicepresident of FERMA: “These conversations helped us recognise how much we can gain from working more closely across countries. Each association has developed valuable practices and insights. By sharing them more openly, we can support each other more effectively and strengthen the role of risk management throughout Europe.”
Ulrich Adamheit, Vicepresident of FERMA: “Small steps, taken consistently across our network, can make a real difference. We leave Brussels with a clearer sense of direction and with shared commitment to move forward together.”