Risk Management
The University Risk Management System
There is no great mystery about risk management. This is simply an integral part of any management role. In planning any event, project, new development or activity we need to identify the key objectives which we want to achieve. Anything that could happen to prevent, delay or disrupt our plans constitutes a risk. The task of every member of staff is to identify potential risks, assess the likely impact of any risk that might be realised and manage the risk to keep its impact and likelihood as low as possible. This is the essence of risk management.
Risk management applies to every aspect of University activity. This includes for example, academic partnerships, HR policy developments, financial investment, major estates projects, development of new IT systems and planning special events. Careful consideration of risk helps us plan our developments with a greater chance of success. Risks which are realised can impact adversely on our finances, our reputation, our health and our morale. Risk management is just the application of common sense. We should only concern ourselves with significant risk.
The University's Risk Management Policy includes an outline of the risk management system.
The University has identified a List of Standing Generic Risks. These standing risks could happen but are not considered imminent. For this reason, business continuity plans are in place but the risks are not under active management. If any of these risks becomes more likely, it will be transferred onto the Corporate Risk Register for active management.
If you are undertaking health and safety risk assessment or for more details of how to assess and manage risk, please see the Risk Management System Guidance Pack. This includes the standard template for risk assessment.
June Hughes
Registrar and University Risk Manager
