Five minutes with: Colin Campbell

What are the top three challenges affecting the industry that you work for at the moment?

• The economy generally;
• The shifting globalised market and how customers shop;
• Keeping IT working, up to date and getting to grips with and maximising the benefits of social media.

What are you doing to manage those risks?

Being fleet of foot and up to speed with market developments and what the customer wants. I try and do this by keeping on top of news on latest trends and innovation.

What is the most important lesson that you’ve learnt?

An old cliché but never burn bridges. Always leave people thinking the best of you and what you are trying to achieve – be friendly and courteous and build relationships remembering it’s easy to destroy these with one misplaced word or deed.

What wisdom would you share with other risk professionals?

Never believe that you know it all. There are always new ways and new things to learn. Keep reading, listening, attending training sessions and talking with your peers. Broaden your knowledge and it can help you broaden your sphere of influence.

Be prepared to give back to others and the risk community. Share your experience and make a point of getting to know young people entering risk management – they will learn from you and you never know, you might learn something from them!

What are you most proud of?

Professionally, I have a great team around me at Arcadia. We gel and work well together and have achieved a great deal with limited resources in a difficult climate. We have fun and try not to take ourselves too seriously. I’m proud of what we have built as a team and proud of each person in the team.

Personally, my three children are all in their twenties and each one of them has done well and achieved much. My wife and I are so proud of them for who they have become – looking out for others and with good moral and ethical values.