2026 August E-Newsletter
A Message from our Executive Director
Dear Members,
August and September are busy months in the RMA Australia events calendar, with a deliberate focus on real and relevant topics impacting our risk community in their day to day roles.
Our first August webinar, hosted by KordaMentha, explored Beyond Default: Managing the Hidden Risks in Distress. The discussion was structured around three key risks that can emerge when an organisation moves into financial distress:
Misalignment of risk appetite – when financial performance changes, so too can the organisation’s risk profile. Boards, management, advisers and shareholders may have different perspectives on the level of risk they are prepared to accept in turning performance around.
Governance, capability and capacity risk – often underestimated, but potentially one of the most significant changes for a business. Does the organisation have the expertise, time and capability required to execute the agreed turnaround?
Contagion risk – what are the consequential risks that arise following default, and how and when should they be managed? These risks may not have existed before the organisation reached default.
Scott Langdon also posed the question, “Do you have any other perspectives?” A good question to leave us with.
Our second event, hosted by CBA, focused on Adopting AI: Opportunities, Risks and Insights. The discussion covered a range of issues, from improving customer experiences and enhancing productivity to strengthening decision making and supporting risk management. AI has the potential to transform how financial institutions operate and create value, while also requiring organisations to carefully consider governance, trust, accountability, workforce capability and responsible implementation.
Visit the events page on our website to register for September webinar and events and take part in the conversations shaping the future of risk management.
Richard Gilbert
Executive Director
RMA Australia
✨ Spotlight: The Emerging Career Risk Professionals (ECRP) ✨
This month, we’re spotlighting Jack Hotham (Financial Services Risk Consultant at EY) an Emerging Career Risk Professional who is passionate about continuous learning, meaningful connections and helping organisations make better decisions.
Since joining ECRP, Jack has valued the opportunity to connect with fellow risk professionals, learn from experienced practitioners and gain diverse perspectives on the evolving risk landscape.
For Jack, great risk leadership is about enabling informed, well-considered decisions that create positive outcomes for customers, employees, shareholders and the broader community. He believes effective risk leaders stay aligned to an organisation’s purpose, balancing strong risk management with the need to support better business outcomes.
A key influence on Jack’s career has been the RMA Australia Mentoring Program, where guidance from a senior industry professional reinforced for him, the importance of effective communication, trust and strong relationships. The experience has shaped Jack’s belief that collaboration is essential to influencing positive outcomes and building a strong risk culture.
And outside of risk? Jack enjoys finding the best spots for a quality brew. ☕
📸 Jack Hotham, ECRP
Upcoming Events
02 Sep | Model Risk Management: Challenges and Emerging Expectations | Hosted by ANZ | 4 – 5pm AEST | webinar.
09 Sep | From Effort to Insight: AI-Powered Risk Management | Hosted by Suncorp | 4 – 5pm AEST | Brisbane or Webinar | For those attending in Brisbane, the event will be followed by networking drinks and canapes from 5pm.
