Editor’s comment: Welcome to Birmingham

Welcome to Birmingham and the 2014 Airmic Conference. Brighton seems such a short time ago, and yet, here we are gathered again 12 months later. Although last year’s event remains vivid in the memory of many, time has not stood still. The world had moved on and so too have the risks businesses face.

Technology, and the speed at which change engenders progress, means that business opportunities and their inherent risks are developing faster than at any time in human history.

Although innovation means that companies can trade globally more easily and are able to develop new ideas quickly, they are also exposed to risks that are more intense and diverse than ever before.

The future of risk is the main theme of the conference, but coping with technology is an important element of this year’s conference and a number of workshops, sessions and speeches are devoted to exploring some of those challenges.

Those firms best able to adapt quickly to threats and opportunities will thrive in the modern business environment and Airmic looks to equip risk managers with the right tools and techniques to tackle them.

Of course, while innovation  is in focus at the conference, it is not the only aspect of risk in the spotlight.

Once again, Airmic has devised an interesting and insightful programme of activities that reflects many of the issues businesses must now contend with and the event will benefit risk professionals no matter their background or specialism.

The main problem most delegates are likely to face in Birmingham is deciding which sessions to attend – after all, not even the keenest risk professional can be in two places at the same time.

Our StrategicRISK team will be out in force at the conference over the next couple of days. We will be covering all major aspects of the event online and via social media – so if you cannot attend every session, you can find out what is happening from our website, our daily email alerts or the regular tweets we will be sending during the conference.

We will also be undertaking interviews with key industry figures at the event, so if you do see one of the SR team around the venue feel free to stop us and say hello. Enjoy the conference!