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“In sustainability, start at the top, or risk being sidelined.” – Aurore Lecanon
In this CPD accredited episode of RiskMasters, host Julien Haye sits down with Aurore Lecanon, a seasoned Chief Risk Officer in the insurance industry, to explore the intersection of sustainability and risk management. Aurore shares her unique career journey from her beginnings in the insurance sector to becoming a leader in risk management. She delves into the challenges and opportunities of integrating sustainability into corporate strategy, offering insights into the evolving nature of risk leadership and the critical role of culture, governance, and strategic alignment in achieving sustainable outcomes.
In this edition of RiskMasters, you will learn:
Career Path and Evolution in Risk Management: Aurore reflects on her diverse experience in the insurance industry, discussing her unexpected path to becoming a Chief Risk Officer and the strategic perspective this role offers. She provides insights into how understanding the holistic view of risk can drive business decisions and foster innovation.
Challenges of Integrating Sustainability: Aurore discusses the complexities of embedding sustainability within risk frameworks. She emphasises the importance of aligning sustainability goals with overall business strategies, the role of regulatory requirements, and the cultural transformation needed to achieve meaningful impact.
Gender Dynamics and Leadership: Aurore shares her experience as a woman in a senior role in the insurance industry. She challenges common misconceptions about women in leadership, reflecting on the strengths women bring to decision-making and the value of diverse perspectives in enriching business strategy and risk management.
Trends at the Cross-Section of Sustainability and Risk: Aurore highlights the future of risk management, focusing on innovations like AI-driven risk assessments and the use of data analytics to support sustainable decisions. She discusses the potential of technologies like blockchain to enhance transparency in supply chains and the need for industry-wide collaboration to achieve net-zero goals.
More about Aurore Lecanon:
Aurore Lecanon is a seasoned Chief Risk Officer with extensive experience in both life and general insurance sectors, having held leadership roles at major firms like Aviva, Old Mutual, Prudential, and Direct Line. A French quant by background, Aurore has a deep understanding of asset liability management, financial risk, and the strategic aspects of risk management. Her commitment to embedding sustainability into risk strategies has made her a thought leader in the industry.
Connect with Aurore on LinkedIn to explore more on sustainability, risk management, and leadership in the insurance industry.
Tune in to this episode for an in-depth discussion on the integration of sustainability into risk frameworks, the evolving role of risk leaders, and the cultural and strategic shifts necessary for building resilient, future-ready organisations.
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Accreditation number: 800033
Summary of the interview with Aurore Lecanon on RiskMasters
“What matters to our customers has to matter to us.” – Aurore Lecanon
In this episode of the RiskMasters podcast, host Julien Haye engages with Aurore Lecanon, an experienced Chief Risk Officer in the insurance industry, to explore the critical intersection of sustainability and risk management. Aurore shares her journey from a quantitative background in finance to becoming a prominent risk leader, offering invaluable perspectives on the evolving responsibilities of risk officers and the importance of integrating sustainability into corporate strategy.
Navigating a Non-Traditional Path to Risk Leadership
Aurore reflects on her unconventional entry into risk management. With a background in asset liability management and financial risk, she transitioned to risk leadership roles almost by chance. This shift provided her with a strategic viewpoint distinct from other executive roles, allowing her to see the business holistically and make more informed decisions about risk and resilience.
The Challenges and Necessities of Integrating Sustainability
Aurore emphasises the complexity and necessity of embedding sustainability within an organisation’s core strategy, rather than treating it as a separate initiative. She argues for a holistic approach where sustainability goals are fully integrated into risk frameworks, corporate governance, and decision-making processes. Her experiences highlight that while regulatory requirements set essential standards, companies must go beyond compliance to create meaningful impact.
Gender Dynamics and Leadership Lessons
Sharing her experiences as a woman in a senior position, Aurore challenges traditional gender stereotypes, advocating for the unique perspectives women bring to leadership roles. She explains how diverse viewpoints can enrich debates, foster more comprehensive decision-making, and ultimately drive better business outcomes. Aurore encourages organisations to recognise and leverage these differences to enhance their strategies and risk management processes.
Future Trends: Innovation and Collaboration in Risk Management
Looking ahead, Aurore discusses emerging trends at the intersection of sustainability and risk management, such as AI-driven risk assessments and the potential of blockchain for supply chain transparency. She also underscores the need for industry-wide collaboration, particularly in the journey toward net-zero targets, and the vital role of technology in achieving these goals.
Actionable Takeaways from the Episode
Integrate Sustainability into Strategy: Aurore advises organisations to start with strong leadership commitment to sustainability. Aligning it with business strategy is crucial to avoid efforts being sidelined.
Foster a Culture of Sustainability: Creating a sustainability-aware culture involves both top-down leadership and empowering employees at all levels. Aurore suggests finding and supporting those who are passionate about sustainability within the organisation to drive change from the ground up.
Leverage Technology and Data: Embrace innovative technologies like AI and blockchain to enhance transparency, data integration, and risk assessment capabilities, helping organisations make better decisions aligned with sustainability goals.
Conclusion: Building a Sustainable Future Through Risk Management
Aurore Lecanon's insights provide a powerful blueprint for embedding sustainability into risk management frameworks. Her emphasis on strategic alignment, cultural transformation, and technological innovation offers actionable guidance for leaders looking to build resilient, future-ready organisations. This episode of RiskMasters is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving role of risk management and sustainability in today's dynamic business landscape.
FAQs: Integrating Sustainability and Risk Management
What is the importance of integrating sustainability into risk management?
Sustainability is crucial for long-term business resilience. Integrating it into risk management ensures that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are considered in strategic decisions, reducing risks and enhancing opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.
How can companies align sustainability goals with their overall business strategy?
Start with leadership commitment. Ensure that sustainability goals are embedded in the company's core mission and values, supported by a clear governance structure, and integrated into all business operations and decision-making processes.
What challenges do organisations face when embedding sustainability within their risk frameworks?
Key challenges include aligning sustainability with existing risk management practices, navigating regulatory requirements, fostering cultural transformation, and ensuring cross-functional collaboration to drive meaningful impact.
What role do women play in leadership within risk management?
Women bring diverse perspectives that can enrich decision-making processes, foster innovation, and enhance risk management strategies. Aurore Lecanon discusses how challenging gender stereotypes can lead to stronger, more inclusive leadership.
How are emerging technologies like AI and blockchain influencing sustainability and risk management?
AI and blockchain are transforming risk management by improving data integration, transparency, and predictive capabilities. These technologies support more informed, sustainable business decisions and enhance supply chain transparency, crucial for achieving net-zero goals.
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