Charlotte Hedemark Outlines Priorities as New FERMA President

Charlotte Hedemark became the new president of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) October 16 during the FERMA Seminar 2023 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Ms. Hedemark is a risk management expert at SAP.

In her first address to FERMA members as president, Ms. Hedemark highlighted strategic priorities for the organization for 2024 and 2025. Those priorities include enhancing FERMA's advocacy capabilities, strengthening the organization's leadership position and elevating the value of risk management, and making FERMA more agile and dynamic.

"We want to expand our advocacy capabilities by developing partnerships with other EU professional or sectorial associations and inside EU institutions," Ms. Hedemark told seminar attendees. "We want to tap into even more expertise and knowledge and increase the involvement of the national risk associations in our advocacy work."

With FERMA set to mark its 50th anniversary in 2024, Ms. Hedemark said, "We will ensure that we remain relevant and that FERMA is an agile, dynamic federation in this time of risk evolution and transition." She added that the organization will look to "enhance our reputation as a knowledge resource for individual risk managers and national associations and increase our dialogue with you."

Ms. Hedemark succeeds Dirk Wegener, who concluded a 4-year term as FERMA president.

"FERMA has become much more impactful and effective in its advocacy work," Mr. Wegener told seminar delegates. "I would like to thank our members for their active engagement in our committees and working groups. This strengthens our expertise and the value we provide, both of which are recognized by the European institutions."

"I leave my role as president with FERMA in a strong position–and I am passing the baton on to Charlotte, knowing that the future of FERMA is in extremely capable hands," Mr. Wegener said.