The Pan-Asia Risk and Insurance Management Association (Parima) has successfully launched its first-ever Next-Gen Risk Takers competition in Bangkok, Thailand, on 13 March, with Daisuke Kamei, chief staff manager of the Business Risk Management Department at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd emerging as the winner of the first leg of the competition.
Younger risk managers with three to five years’ experience are being invited to showcase their experience, skills and risk management expertise at a series of masterclasses across Asia over coming months, with the winners of each presenting themselves at Parima’s main annual event in Singapore, 29-30 October.
Candidates are initially invited to submit a 500-600 word essay on any personal risk-related achievement/story, along with biography, to the Parima judges at risktakers@parima.org.
Those selected will then be invited to deliver a presentation to the judge and audience in person at their local masterclass.
The next events are to be held in Kuala Lumpur on 22 May, Mumbai on 13 June and Hong Kong on 25 September.
The three finalists who presented in Bangkok were Orawan Wannadee, head of risk, compliance and control at RMA Group Company Limited; Ralph Añes, senior enterprise risk manager at Globe Telecom Inc; and Kamei of Mitsubishi.
“My key takeaway is that we are always progressing, constantly moving things forward, while also leaving room for future growth. This has been the most valuable lesson from this experience. I am honoured and surprised to win the challenge, but overall it has been an incredible journey,” said Kamei.
“I really wanted to step out of my comfort zone and it’s my first time sharing my experience in front of such a large crowd,” said Ralph Añes, reflecting on his motivation for participating in the Next-Gen Risk Takers Challenge.
“As a risk manager, it’s essential to stay proactive and keep up with emerging industry trends. For instance, fields like AI and climate change require close attention and continuous learning. Gaining this knowledge will help you grow as a risk manager and bring greater value to your organisation,” said Orawan Wannadee, offering advice to aspiring risk professionals.
Prior to the competition, each participant was paired with a mentor – a Parima executive committee member who provided guidance on public speaking and presentation techniques.
Daisuke Kamei’s mentor, Kelvin Wu, head of insurance for Weybourne Group and treasurer of Parima, said: “All credit goes to him [Kamei]. I provided some guidance on public speaking but the bulk of the work was his. He simply needed a bit of direction in structuring the stories he shared.”
“I find the Next-Gen Risk Takers challenge truly inspiring. While we often talk about mentorship, there is also a strong emphasis on reverse mentorship. I particularly resonate with one of our board members’ comments about being inspired by the next generation, their passion, enthusiasm, and the innovative approaches they bring. I hope to see more outstanding candidates step up, share their stories, and continue to inspire us. I look forward to learning even more from the next generation of risk takers,” added Wu.
“I am glad to see that the Next-Gen Risk Takers provides a platform for risk professionals to share their stories, bold ideas and resilience, while shaping the future of risk management. Watching individuals take the stage and share their insights is truly inspiring for emerging risk managers,” said Annacel Natividad, president of Parima.
To take part, visit https://parima.org/nextgenrisktakers/ for full details. To apply for the event in Kuala Lumpur, email risktakers@parima.org to submit your application.
