Winners show they have what it takes
Adjudicators impressed by the high standard of award candidates
The adjudicators of the Institute of Risk Management SA (Irmsa) Awards were impressed with the high level of nominations received this year, across the range of categories, which revealed the high standard of practitioners in SA’s risk sector, from emerging managers to administrators, supervisors and executive leaders.
The winners of this year’s awards, which went to individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in the field of risk management are: Individual Awards
Risk Manager of the Year — Winner: Phumlani Dyini
Dyini is the group head: enterprise risk management and compliance at Woolworths Holdings Limited. He attends and presents at the board risk and compliance committee, audit committee and social and ethics committee. Making business sense of risk appetite has been a major achievement. This framework is under review with CEB Gartner as a knowledge share case study for implementing risk appetite. Another accomplishment has been shifting management’s view to recognise the significance of third-party risk as business is conducted in an interdependent environment. Dyini believes while there remains a place for traditional risk profiles and risk assessments, management is in great need of dynamic forwardlooking risk tools to enable them to navigate their environment and assist in taking smart risks. Runner-up: Ashwille Riddles As the chief risk officer of Overberg District Municipality, Riddles manages a district-wide shared services model. This includes one district and four local municipalities. This is the second risk management shared services model established in the Western Cape and the only successful one. Emerging and fraud risks are areas generally neglected in the municipal environment but Riddles has emphasised the importance and created awareness thereof. A comprehensive anticorruption and fraud prevention policy, strategy and plan have been developed and awareness campaigns rolled out. An ethical culture has been cultivated in the municipalities through the risk management unit.
Risk Influencer of the Year — Winner: National Treasury
In pursuit of the National Development Plan, Treasury have undertaken various initiatives to ensure the objectives are met by 2030. One way is to promote leadership and partnerships throughout society. Over the years Treasury has built a strong relationship with Irmsa, working together on projects. The result of collaborating on various initiatives is that the status of risk management in the country has been elevated, for which Treasury is recognised as Risk Influencer of the Year 2018.
Africa Risk Management Award Winner: Dawid Welman —
During the past 12 months, Welman has led a project focusing on the entrenchment of risk management within the Ohlthaver and List Group of Companies. This programme focused on entrenching not only the risk culture but also ensuring that risk practices, procedures and principles have been incorporated into all company policies and procedures. He played a leading role in the establishment of the Irmsa Namibia Chapter in 2016 and has since led the chapter in the capacity of chairman. Through his guidance the chapter copresented the first risk management conference in Namibia earlier this year.
Runner Up: Itani Tseisi
As a commonwealth secretariat risk management specialist and consultant, Tseisi assisted the Botswana government in establishing and implementing enterprise risk management. This entailed developing an ERM policy and framework, training and awareness, risk assessment facilitation, risk management plans and ERM strategy. The Botswana government project has showcased its success to other countries and the interest is enormous, hence he is now busy with a Gambian project.
Up and Coming Risk Manager of the Year Winner: Joy — Putini
As senior risk analyst at the South African Reserve Bank, Putini’s role involves project risk management, process risk assessments as well as giving risk advice to the business. She has mapped the risk management value chain based on the COSO framework. Thereafter a gap analysis was conducted to determine the areas the department needs to focus on. She took the lead in compiling environmental scanning documents. These are the basis for facilitating strategic risk assessments for all departments. This is valuable for the strategic risk assessment process as each is tailored to that specific department.
Runner-up: Tshepo Shongwe
Within a few months of being appointed Risk Analyst — Group Enterprise-Wide Risk Management, Shongwe was responsible for a major component of the creation and embedding of Nedbank’s Combined Assurance programme. This required conversations with people at all levels, some of whom were resistant. With a professionalism that oozes with confidence and poise Shongwe rose to the challenge and did ERM proud. He would like to interrogate how organisations practically manage risk beyond crisis management and look at brand resilience and building reputational capital. He is one of the four selected for the 2018 Cruywagen Irmsa Risk Foundation exchange programme.
Risk Specialist of the Year — Winner: Ian Home
At Anglo American as Principal Specialist: Operational Risk Management, Home focuses on leading the establishment, development and implementation of the operational risk management programme for the group. Developing the programme was central to the continuous improvement of operational risk performance driving success and supporting delivery of objectives. A major accomplishment has been to position operational risk on the managerial agenda and the integration of operational risk into leadership, managerial and frontline work routines. This has resulted in value protection as well as optimisation of operational processes and value creation. Runner-up: Gunter Rohde Part of Rohde’s role as chief risk advisor in the Risk and Sustainability Division in Eskom was leading the project for the conceptualisation of Risk Appetite and Tolerance (RAT) and subsequent training and implementation. Quarterly risk reporting is now following RAT principles. This is closely linked to the introduction of key risk indicators. He has helped establish risk-based decision making where all decisions and resolutions will be directly influenced by risk assessments. He has also played an important role in the redesign of the quarterly report. Rohde is constantly looking at new concepts and ideas to enhance risk management. Industry Awards Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing: Novo Fruit Packers
Novo Fruit Packers won the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing category for their alternative water supply — risk sustainability and resilience initiative.
Chemicals, Oil and Gas: Omnia Group
This award was given to Omnia Group for their implementation of an organisationwide SHERQ System/IsoMetrix Integrated ERM System Communication and Technology: Vodacom
The Mobile Money Risk Framework developed by Vodacom is the recipient of the Communications and Technology award initiative.
Education: University of Johannesburg, Department of Accountancy
The University of Johannesburg won the education award for its Technical Report on Risk Management Committees in Public Institutions/Critical Success Factors in South African Public Sector Risk Management Committees.
Energy, Water and Utilities: Eskom Resilience Programme
The Eskom Resilience Programme — Implementation of the National Incident Command System helps keep the lights on and wins this category.
Financial Services: Old Mutual
This goes to Old Mutual for the introduction of a Corporate Privately Owned Black to Potable Water Filtration System.
Government and Public Services Local: Overberg — District Municipality
Overberg District Municipality’s establishment and implementation of a business continuity framework is this year’s winner of the Local Government and Public Services initiative.
Government and Public Services National: Special — Investigating Unit
The National Government and Public Services winner is the Special Investigating Unit for their Vulnerable Sector Risk Assessment — Public and Private Sector.
Healthcare: Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS)
The GEMS Risk Management Programme/Development and Implementation of the Enterprise Risk Management Programme and Risk Management Capability is the recipient of the Healthcare award.
Hospitality and Tourism: Wilderness Safaris
The Wilderness Safaris risk management initiative earned them the Hospitality and Tourism award.
Insurance and Reinsurance: Constantia Insurance
This award is presented to Constantia Insurance Company for a solution to Resolve the Crisis in Medical Malpractice/A Viable and Sustainable Alternative to Unaffordable Professional Indemnity Cover for Medical Practitioners.
Mining and Quarrying: Harmony Gold
The Silicosis Class Action Settlement Agreement of May 3 2018 achieved by Harmony Gold is this year’s winner in the Mining and Quarrying sector.
Professional Services: ContinuitySA
Continuity SA is the winnerfor its mobile application for business continuity and resilience.
Risk Management System Providers: Guideline BizTech
This award was presented to Guideline BizTech for the RUBiQ Cloud Innovative GRC Technology Solution.
Transport and Logistics: Wilderness Air
The Safety and Risk Management Initiative implemented by Wilderness Air receives the Transport and Logistics award.