History

The Institute of Risk Management was founded in April 1986 in response to a growing demand for a diploma course in risk management. Led by AIRMIC (The Association of Insurance and Risk Managers), help and encouragement was provided by the Royal Society, the Geneva Association, the Department of Education and Science, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Health and Safety Executive, Glasgow Caledonian University and others, in order to establish the new Institute.

At its formation, it was recognised that the multi-disciplinary nature of risk management called for a specialist institute working in co-operation with other centres of risk expertise around the world. This is as true today, with IRM working actively with partner organisations both in the development of new educational programmes and the creation and promotion of the Risk Management Standard.

During its 21 years, IRM has emerged to become a leading force in risk management education, with over 2,000 members in around 50 countries worldwide.

IRM is a company limited by guarantee, i.e. a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation and is governed by a Board of Directors elected from Fellows of the Institute.