Airmic names Julia Graham CEO

Airmic has announced the appointment of Julia Graham as chief executive of the association for risk and insurance professionals, effective 7 April 2021. 

She is a former chair of both Airmic and FERMA, the Federation of European Risk Management Associations.

Prior to assuming the CEO role, Graham served as deputy CEO and technical director of Airmic since October 2015.

She has more than 35 years’ experience in senior risk management and insurance positions, including serving as director of risk management and insurance at global law firm DLA Piper and 30 years in the insurance sector.

Graham is also a board member of IFRIMA, the International Federation of Risk and Insurance Management Associations, and serves as a non-executive director of several captive insurance companies.

She succeeds John Ludlow as Airmic’s CEO. Ludlow joined Airmic’s board of directors in 2012, and served as its deputy chair in 2015-2016, before beginning his tenure as CEO of Airmic from June 2017.

His role as Airmic’s CEO follows a distinguished risk management career in the hospitality industry. He previously served as senior vice president for business reputation and responsibility and global head of risk at international hotel company IHG. He will continue to serve in several non-executive board positions, including at Airmic.

Tracey Skinner, Airmic’s chair, commented: “I am very much looking forward to working with [Graham] as CEO during my remaining period as chair and as I continue to work for the executive thereafter.

“A huge thank you to John and everything that he has done for Airmic during the last few years. The last year has been extremely challenging and John leaves Airmic in a good shape for Julia to continue with the journey.”

Graham added: “Even before the pandemic, organisations were re-evaluating every aspect of their business. In 2021 and beyond, organisations and their boards will face an acceleration of challenges and will be compelled to address how they are building resilience and creating sustainable value in a rapidly changing business environment. Airmic members are well positioned to act as strategic advisors in this context and Airmic is well positioned to support them.

“I’d like to thank John for his fantastic contribution in building the foundations of Airmic from which to achieve success and rise to these challenges. I’m looking forward to working with all of our members, partners, other stakeholders - and the brilliant Airmic secretariat and board.”