Join Julien Haye, Chief Risk Officer and author of The Risk Within, a groundbreaking book on psychological safety and decision-making in risk management, for insights on risk management from leaders and board directors. RiskMasters is the CPD-accredited podcast for risk managers and business leaders navigating strategic risk, enterprise risk and leadership challenges. The show explores how senior executives build strong business foresight and lead with purpose. In collaboration with Risk.net, each episode delivers thought-provoking conversations on leadership, resilience, and governance.
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August 15, 20265 min
Cultural Differences in Risk Management
Risk culture, cultural differences, leadership, and risk management are closely connected to how people perceive and respond to risk. In this RiskMasters — The Download segment, Horst Simon draws on his international experience to explore how cultural worldviews influence risk behaviour inside organisations. He discusses three broad perspectives, guilt versus innocence, honour versus shame, and power versus fear, and explains why organisations operating across cultures need to consider these differences when developing risk policies and processes. The conversation also explores how generational differences influence attitudes towards work, organisations, mobility, and risk, creating another important consideration for leaders building an effective risk culture . Listeners will gain insight into: • How cultural differences can influence risk management decisions • Why the same risk policy may be interpreted differently across cultures • How cultural worldviews shape attitudes towards responsibility and consequences • Why generational differences matter when building risk culture • How global organisations can consider human behaviour within risk frameworks This extract is taken from the full RiskMasters interview with Horst Simon on risk culture, people risk, leadership, operational risk, and the future of risk management , available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and at aevitium.com .
August 8, 20265 min
Applying the Gray Rhino: From Recognition to Action
How can risk leaders apply the Gray Rhino framework to risks their organisations already recognise? In this RiskMasters — The Download, Michele Wucker , author of The Gray Rhino and You Are What You Risk , explains how she applies the Gray Rhino concept to risk management, risk identification and decision-making . Her starting point is straightforward: organisations usually already know what their Gray Rhinos are. They may involve succession, organisational culture, competitive pressures, finance and liquidity, regulation or other strategic risks. Michele’s approach starts by taking a fresh look at those known risks and assessing honestly how effectively the organisation is responding. She explains how applying the Gray Rhino framework moves beyond identifying risk. Decision-makers need to understand who is affected, who has the power to act, how different risks interact and whether information flows effectively between frontline teams, management and the board. The conversation also explores psychological safety, behavioural risk and risk culture . Michele explains why organisations need channels that allow people throughout the business to communicate what they see and ensure important risk signals reach those empowered to act. The discussion then considers the relationship between quantitative risk management and behavioural factors, including how risks are interpreted, communicated and priced. How Michele Wucker applies the Gray Rhino framework Moving from risk identification to action How stakeholders and interconnected risks shape risk decisions Why psychological safety strengthens information flow How behavioural risk complements quantitative risk management The Gray Rhino concept provides a practical framework for addressing high-probability, high-impact risks that are already visible. Michele shows how leaders can use it to examine organisational responses, improve risk communication and move from recognising a threat towards informed action. This extract is taken from the full RiskMasters conversation with Michele Wucker on the Gray Rhino, risk management, behavioural risk and strategic decision-making . Listen to the full RiskMasters episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or at aevitium.com .
August 3, 2026Episode 749 min
Risk Management, Leadership & Organisational Resilience with Frédéric Gielen
What determines whether an organisation remains resilient when it comes under real pressure? In this episode of RiskMasters , Julien Haye is joined by Frédéric Gielen , Executive Partner at Reply, to explore why organisational resilience is fundamentally a leadership and organisational design challenge rather than simply a matter of governance frameworks or regulatory compliance. Drawing on more than three decades advising financial institutions, regulators and boards across Europe, Frédéric shares the recurring patterns he observes across organisations, explaining why resilience rarely fails through a single decision but instead erodes through rational trade-offs, fragmented accountability and unnoticed ambiguity. Together, they discuss the relationship between risk management , operational resilience , governance , leadership , and organisational resilience , challenging conventional thinking about how resilient organisations are built. In this episode, you'll learn: Why resilience is a leadership capability rather than simply a control function Why governance frameworks can appear robust yet struggle under stress The difference between documented capability and operational capability How weak signals become diluted as they move through organisations Why transformation often relocates organisational friction instead of removing it Why ambiguity in ownership, data and governance creates systemic risk How regulatory change exposes organisational capacity constraints Why resilience often competes with growth, speed and short-term performance Whether you are a Chief Risk Officer , risk leader, operational resilience professional, compliance executive, board member or governance practitioner, this episode offers practical insights into strengthening resilience in complex organisations. ⏱️ Episode Highlights 01:15 – Why organisational resilience is a design choice, not a technical problem 08:39 – The gap between documented capability and operational resilience 17:53 – Why transformation relocates organisational friction 23:53 – How weak signals become diluted through escalation 29:57 – When mature governance frameworks fail under stress 39:31 – Why ambiguity creates systemic organisational risk 45:19 – Why resilience competes with organisational success 📚 Related Resources Organisational Silos: The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Governance Discover how fragmented accountability, disconnected decision-making and organisational silos create hidden vulnerabilities that only emerge under stress. How Functional Silos Weaken Risk Identification and Escalation Explore why weak signals become diluted as they move through organisations and how governance structures influence escalation and decision-making. Psychological Safety in Risk Management Learn why challenge, escalation and speaking up are essential to organisational resilience and effective risk leadership. 🎓 Download your CPD certificate: The CPD Group – Accreditation: #501296
July 25, 20265 min
The Hidden Risk of Ambiguity: Why Small Gaps Become Systemic Failures
Most organisations look for major risks. Frédéric Gielen argues that the biggest threats often begin with something much smaller. Ambiguity. In this RiskMasters: The Download, Frédéric explains why unclear ownership, fragmented data, and poorly defined responsibilities rarely create immediate problems but become systemic vulnerabilities when organisations come under stress. He also explores another overlooked challenge. During periods of regulatory change, organisations often focus on budgets and implementation deadlines while underestimating their ability to absorb change. We explore: Why ambiguity creates systemic organisational risk How unclear ownership compounds under stress The relationship between governance, data, and resilience Why organisations run out of capacity before budget How regulatory change exposes organisational constraints Risk rarely grows because of a single failure. It often develops where ambiguity, governance, and organisational capacity quietly intersect. --- Music by Lexin_Music via Pixabay, used under the Pixabay Content License.
July 18, 20264 min
When Mature Governance Fails Under Stress
Strong governance frameworks are essential. Clear responsibilities, documented escalation processes, and defined governance structures help organisations operate consistently. Yet these same structures can become obstacles during disruption. In this RiskMasters: The Download, Frédéric Gielen explores why governance frameworks that appear mature on paper may struggle when organisations come under stress. Drawing on decades advising financial institutions, regulators, and boards, he explains how fragmented accountability, sequential decision-making, and misalignment between legal entity governance and operational governance can reduce organisational resilience when rapid decisions are required. We explore: Why mature governance frameworks can fail under stress How fragmented accountability slows decision-making The tension between legal entity governance and operational governance Why governance structures should evolve for resilience The relationship between governance effectiveness and organisational resilience Effective governance is not only about clear structures. It is about ensuring those structures continue to support timely decisions when organisations face uncertainty and disruption.
July 11, 20266 min
Organisational Resilience Beyond Frameworks: Why Design Matters More Than Documentation
Organisational resilience is often associated with governance frameworks, policies, and documented controls. These remain essential. However, resilience is rarely determined by documentation alone. In this RiskMasters: The Download, Frédéric Gielen explains why organisational resilience depends on organisational design, decision-making, and behaviours that continue to operate effectively under pressure. Drawing on decades of experience advising regulators and financial institutions across Europe, he argues that resilience rarely disappears through a single failure. Instead, it gradually weakens through rational trade-offs that appear reasonable when viewed individually but collectively reduce organisational control. The discussion also explores the difference between documented capability and operational capability. Many organisations develop comprehensive governance frameworks, recovery plans, and resilience documentation. Under stress, however, those same organisations often discover that decision-making, escalation, and accountability do not operate as expected. Another key insight is that resilience should be viewed as a design choice rather than a technical exercise. Governance frameworks provide structure, but organisational resilience depends on transparency, redundancy, accountability, and the ability of the organisation to adapt when disruption occurs. The extract covers: Organisational resilience and governance Risk frameworks and governance frameworks Organisational design and resilience Documented versus operational capability Decision-making under stress Rational trade-offs and organisational fragility This extract is taken from the full RiskMasters conversation with Frédéric Gielen discussing organisational resilience, governance, leadership, and the structural choices that determine how organisations perform under pressure. This episode will be released on August 1st 2026.
July 4, 20265 min
Compliance Beyond Rules: Why Principles and Harm Matter More
Compliance is often defined through rules, regulation, and control frameworks. The challenge is not the absence of rules. It is how those rules are interpreted and applied in practice. In this RiskMasters bonus episode, Jennifer Geary and Natalie McManus explore the difference between rules-based compliance and principles-based compliance, and why starting with harm leads to better decisions. The discussion focuses on a shift in sequence. Compliance processes typically begin with the question: what does the rule require. In practice, decisions are shaped earlier, when potential outcomes and risks are considered. Starting with harm changes how compliance operates. It requires organisations to consider impact before interpretation, and to apply rules in context rather than in isolation. This creates a shift in how compliance decisions are made: • decisions are anchored in potential harm rather than rule interpretation • rules are applied in context rather than followed mechanically • judgement is exercised earlier in the decision process • supervision is balanced with trust and capability • compliance supports outcomes as well as adherence The extract also highlights the role of supervision. Organisations can increase control through oversight, automation, and monitoring. This reduces the risk of error. It also increases cost and can reduce flexibility. Alternatively, organisations can invest in judgement, enabling individuals to act as their own control. The balance between supervision and autonomy becomes a risk decision. For organisations, this changes how compliance supports governance and risk management. Compliance is not only about meeting regulatory requirements. It is about how those requirements are interpreted, prioritised, and embedded in decision-making. This includes how harm is identified, how rules are applied in context, and how judgement is developed across the organisation. Strengthening these capabilities improves how organisations manage compliance risk, support decision-making, and align outcomes with regulatory intent. This extract is taken from the RiskMasters episode with Jennifer Geary and Natalie McManus, discussing principles-based compliance, decision-making, and the role of the Chief Compliance Officer.
June 27, 20266 min
Integrating Compliance into the Risk Management Lifecycle
Compliance frameworks typically include risk assessment, monitoring, reporting, governance, and policy. The challenge is not the absence of these components. It is how they connect in practice. In this RiskMasters bonus episode, Natalie McManus explains the IMPACT Wheel and how it reframes compliance as a continuous system aligned to the risk management lifecycle. The discussion focuses on how compliance moves from periodic activity to real-time decision support. Risk assessment is often treated as an annual or cyclical exercise. In practice, it occurs continuously, whenever new information, regulatory change, or operational risk emerges. The IMPACT Wheel connects risk identification, measurement, action, monitoring, and correction into a single integrated process. This creates a shift in how compliance operates: risk assessment becomes continuous and real-time monitoring reflects current conditions, not predefined plans actions are taken based on live information issues are surfaced through multiple channels insight feeds back into decision-making The model is designed to be flexible and organisation-agnostic. It allows compliance, audit, and control functions to operate as a connected system rather than separate activities. Simplicity is a core principle. Clear models are easier to apply, easier to scale, and more likely to influence behaviour. For organisations, this changes how compliance supports governance and risk management. It shifts compliance from a structured framework to an integrated capability embedded in decision-making. This includes how risk is assessed in context, how monitoring adapts to change, and how information flows across the organisation. This extract is taken from the RiskMasters episode with Jennifer Geary and Natalie McManus, discussing the IMPACT Wheel, compliance frameworks, and the integration of compliance into the risk management lifecycle.
June 20, 20265 min
Chief Compliance Officer Skills: Data, AI, and Leadership Capability
The Chief Compliance Officer role is often defined through technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and control frameworks. In practice, the effectiveness of compliance leadership depends on something broader. In this RiskMasters extract, Jennifer Geary and Natalie McManus explore how the capabilities required for high-performing Chief Compliance Officers are evolving in response to increasing complexity, data availability, and organisational pressure. The discussion highlights how compliance is no longer limited to interpreting rules or maintaining frameworks. It is increasingly defined by how leaders apply judgement, influence decisions, and integrate compliance into business operations. A central theme is the distinction between technical capability and leadership effectiveness. While data and AI are reshaping compliance functions and enabling new forms of monitoring and insight, they do not determine how compliance performs in practice. The extract identifies the core capabilities shaping modern compliance leadership: • the ability to interpret and apply data in context • the judgement to act under uncertainty • the influence required to shape decisions across the organisation • the curiosity to ask better questions • the empathy needed to build alignment and drive change This creates a shift in how the Chief Compliance Officer role is understood. Compliance is no longer a purely technical discipline. It is a leadership function operating at the intersection of governance, risk management, and decision-making. The discussion also introduces the concept of “flair”. This reflects the ability to bring compliance to life within the organisation, through how rules are interpreted, how messages are communicated, and how compliance is embedded into day-to-day operations. For organisations, this has practical implications. Enterprise risk management, compliance frameworks, and governance structures provide the foundation. The effectiveness of compliance depends on how these are applied in real situations. This includes: • how compliance is integrated into decision-making • how leaders balance technical accuracy with practical judgement • how influence is exercised across functions • how ambiguity is managed in complex environments Strengthening these capabilities improves how organisations anticipate issues, respond to risk, and align compliance with strategic objectives. This extract is taken from the RiskMasters episode with Jennifer Geary and Natalie McManus, exploring the Chief Compliance Officer role, compliance leadership, and the future of governance and decision-making.
June 16, 2026Episode 657 min
Chief Compliance Officer role explained. Jennifer Geary and Natalie McManus explore compliance leadership, strategy, and decision-making.
In this RiskMasters episode, Julien Haye speaks with Jennifer Geary and Natalie McManus, co-authors of How to Be a ChiefCompliance Officer . The conversation explains the Chief Compliance Officerrole as a leadership discipline rather than a control function. It explores how compliance leadership shapesdecision-making, supports strategy, and embeds culture across the organisation. Drawing on practical experience, the discussion reframescompliance as a capability that enables sustainable performance, trust, and long-term value. 🧠 What Does a Chief Compliance Officer Do? A Chief Compliance Officer ensures that an organisationoperates within regulatory expectations while enabling effective decision-making. The role combines governance, culture, and advisoryinfluence to shape how organisations manage risk, interpret rules, and minimise harm. In practice, this means embedding compliance into strategy,operations, and everyday decisions rather than applying it after the fact. 🎯 What You’ll Learn Why every senior leader operates as a compliance leader inpractice How compliance mindset improves escalation and decisionquality What defines the Chief Compliance Officer role today How compliance leadership creates competitive advantage Why most compliance programmes fail to influence decisions How the IMPACT Wheel connects compliance into a system ⏱️ Episode Highlights 00:02 – Introduction and framing of the CCO role 00:54 – Compliance as leadership and social purpose 05:34 – Misconceptions about the Chief Compliance Officer 11:55 – Compliance as competitive advantage in practice 26:49 – The IMPACT Wheel explained 41:25 – First 90 days as a Chief Compliance Officer 46:23 – Future capabilities: data, AI, and human judgement 📚 Related Resources From Approval to Impact: Repositioning Risk Appetite as a Board Tool Understand how governance frameworks influence real business outcomes What Would Change if Risk Identification Was Treated as a Strategic Advantage? Reframe how organisations surface and act on emerging risks Psychological Safety in Risk Management Why escalation, culture, and speaking up define effective governance 🎓 Download your CPD certificate: The CPD Group – Accreditation: #501232
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