Airmic replaces chair who helped wade through 'choppy' period

UK's insurance and risk management association  Airmic has replaced its chairman after what it described as a volatile and quite “choppy” period for the association.

Claire Combes (pictured) has been named next chair of Airmic, effective from September 1.

Combes succeeds Tracey Skinner, who Airmic says has helped the association navigate the difficult pandemic period.

Combes has been an Airmic member for 20 years and joined the board in 2016. She is chair of the Risk Management Steering Group and also sits on the association’s Audit Committee, helping to prepare her for the role of chair.

Combes has served in roles spanning risk management, internal audit, health and safety, treasury, and insurance management, across different sectors. She is currently director of risk and assurance at easyJet.

Her appointment is one of a number of changes to Airmic’s board in recent months.

Other appointees include Amanda Craib, global operational resilience and IT security risk control at HSBC; Richard Hoult, head of risk, audit & assurance at Thames Water; Alison Quinlivan, international risk and insurance leader at Google; and Glenn Ellis, risk finance and insurance practitioner.

Ellis will take up a newly-created role as Airmic’s ESG Ambassador, leading Airmic’s ESG Project Group in addition to taking a seat on the Board.

Alongside Julia Graham, Airmic’s new CEO since April, these changes maintain a diversity of risk and insurance professionals at the heart of Airmic’s governance, the association said.

Graham, CEO of Airmic, commented: “I am delighted to welcome Claire into the role of Chair and I’m looking forward to working with her during her term of office. Supported by Tracey Skinner as immediate past Chairman, Tim Graham as First Deputy Chairman and Fiona Davidge as Second Deputy Chairman, we have a marvellous and talented Executive to help us navigate what remain some still quite 'choppy' times ahead.”

Combes thanked Skinner for leading Airmic through what has been a "volatile and difficult" period for all organisations.

She said: "I am passionate about Airmic and the value that we bring to our members and partners. As the risk management profession continues to increase in relevance, Airmic is positioned to support all risk or insurance managers; increasing their technical skills and personal development. Airmic’s community of members is compassionate and highly engaged, driving thought-leadership and best practice. I’m delighted to be able to lead Airmic on the next phase of our journey.”

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