Energy Risk Debates: the role of the risk manager

Even in companies that are very similar, the role of the risk manager can vary widely. Whether it’s a narrow compliance and policing-type role, or a much wider business support-type role can depend on a host of factors.

These include the risk manager’s own experience and preferences, the support they receive from the board, who they report to, company culture and the past experiences of the firm.

With job descriptions often fluid, there is a lot of scope for the risk manager to shape the role if they are proactive and prepared to make connections across the organisation. 

With today’s increased risk and unpredictability, the remit of the risk manager is expanding as the focus on enterprise risk and integrative modelling grows.

Panellists 

Brett Humphreys, head of risk management at environmental markets specialist Karbone.

Tuncay Pekin, head of risk management at MN8 Energy, formerly Goldman Sachs Renewable Power. 

Federica Strumia, senior director of risk management at sustainable energy services firm, Targray.

Key discussion points

0.56 What’s your definition of a risk manager? 

3.31 Does it make a material difference who the risk manager reports into – for example, if it’s the chief financial officer rather than the board?

5.28 How much does the role of risk manager differ from company to company and is it always clear what the role is?

7.35 How is the increased focus on ERM impacting the risk manager – is the remit getting bigger? 

12.08 What is the key skill that energy risk managers are going to need in 2026 and beyond?