Who won the Battle of Hastings?
27 March 2009
Everyone knows the date of the most famous battle in British history (14th October) but do you know who won it? “The best risk manager!” according to Dr Stephen Carver from Cranfield University, delivering the annual lecture of the Institute of Risk Management (IRM) at the Willis Building in London. “William of Normandy planned for every eventuality and had a plan, a back up plan and a back up for his back up.
Who won the Battle of Hastings?
Measured by modern criteria of leadership, risk analysis, stakeholder management and project planning, it was no surprise that he won the battle. He did however lack charisma and eventually died alone and unloved.”
The Institute used the opportunity to announce the creation of its Specialist grade of membership, and awarded the first certificate to the speaker Stephen Carver. Specialist grade members are entitled to use the letters SIRM after their name. To become a specialist member, individuals need to either have completed one of the Institute’s specialist risk courses, or alternatively hold a qualification in an equivalent risk-related subject, or have full membership of other relevant professional bodies.
These include, for example, the NEBOSH Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health or ACII and FCII at the Chartered Insurance Institute, MIIA and FIIA at the Institute of Internal Auditors, MAPM and FAPM at the Association of Project Management, ACMA and FCMA at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, ACA and FCA at the Chartered Institute of Accountants in England and Wales or solicitors registered with the Law Society.
In addition the Institute has created a new Group Affiliate category. Organisations can now provide all their risk professionals with Affiliate membership of the IRM, at a discounted rate, as long as a minimum of ten join at the same time.
IRM’s Chief Executive, Steve Fowler, said “Stephen Carver has shown us that to win the battles we face everyday we have to deploy the very best risk management skills. IRM is delighted to offer this new specialist membership grade, which allows individuals who work in risk-related activities in specific areas to join and so gain all the advantages of membership. We are also pleased to respond to requests from large organisations for group membership so that they can support their risk management teams by providing them with membership benefits.”