The new president of FERMA  has said he will ensure the association gets closer to its membership and speak for risk managers across Europe on the major issues impacting businesses.

Philippe Cotelle (above) officially took on the role of President of The European risk management association at the FERMA Seminar 2025 in Zurich, Switzerland, where he spelt out his priorities for the year ahead.

Hed said he wants to ensure FERMA and its members play a key role in maintaining a resilient, competitive and sustainable Europe.

“FERMA represents 23 different risk associations across 22 different countries, each of different size, scale and maturity,” he said. “The challenge is how do we ensure that the Federation is relevant and provides clear added value to every one of those associations? The answer is clear. What FERMA provides is the capacity to bring them together, and by doing so making them stronger. So, my message is simple – Together Stronger.”

“What that means in practice is creating a closer community, increasing connectivity between the associations and enhancing coordination on critical topics that are relevant to our profession and our members. FERMA must speak for all of them expressing the conviction and position of the risk community.”

In one of his first acts as President, Cotelle has launched the inaugural Presidents’ Workshop, a two-day event which will address key aspects of the Federation’s role. Central to this will be exploring both what each association can being to FERMA and what it in turn can deliver to each of its members. The event, he added, will help to generate a “renewed vision of our European risk management community”.

“We have in front of us challenges that go far beyond the national boundaries of any one association such as systemic cyber risk and natural catastrophes,” he said. “FERMA possesses the legitimacy to bring together different stakeholders – insureds, brokers, insurers and reinsurers – to develop and deliver on the ambitious and impactful projects needed to address these challenges. The Federation can gather market-leading expertise, helping to establish the vision and providing the means to communicate that vision not just across Europe, but globally. Together Stronger – that is the key.”

The event also marked the end of Charlotte Hedemark’s (above pic) time as President of FERMA. During her tenure, she said, the Federation has achieved much, and created, “a stronger foundation from which to push forward.”

“I am particularly proud of how FERMA has firmly secured its seat at the tables of European Institutions,” she noted. “We have strengthened our voice in the corridors of Brussels – a voice that is not only heard, but more importantly listened to.”

Highlighting other areas where the Federation has delivered on its strategic priorities, Hedemark said: “We have worked to amplify our leadership role and the value our Federation provides. Building stronger global partnerships has been a key part of this. From extending our Risk Manager survey worldwide to developing strategic collaborations with various stakeholders and fostering young talent, FERMA has demonstrated commitment to growing and adapting in response to a fast-evolving risk landscape.”