A Journey Rooted in Science
Emily Cox’s path into risk management began in an unexpected place, a research campus in Rhode Island. During a university internship at FM’s research facility, she discovered something that would shape her career: “The science behind risk and insurance ignited my passion for the field,” she recalls.
This scientific foundation has served Emily well throughout her eight-year tenure with Solvay and its recent spinoff, Syensqo, one of the world’s leading speciality chemicals companies. Her career trajectory tells a story of evolution and adaptation, spending six years supporting the Corporate Insurance & Prevention team with a focus on first-party risks, including property, business interruption, and political risk, before transitioning to Group Risk Manager following the company’s spinoff. Most recently, she supported the sustainability team on CSRD reporting requirements, demonstrating the increasingly interconnected nature of modern risk management. Since September 2025, Emily has taken on a new challenge as Group Insurance Manager at Tessenderlo Group.
Why Lloyd’s Academy Programme?
When the opportunity arose to participate in the FERMA-Lloyd’s Academy programme, Emily was attracted by its reputation for delivering relevant and engaging content specifically tailored to risk managers. However, her primary motivation went beyond the classroom: “While the educational aspect is invaluable, my primary motivation was the opportunity to connect with fellow risk managers and expand my professional network.” This focus on networking reflects a mature understanding of how professional growth happens in the risk management field: through the exchange of ideas, experiences, and perspectives with peers facing similar challenges across different industries and geographies.
Unique Insights from a Historic Market
Emily’s experience with the programme proved highly rewarding, offering her valuable insights that broadened her perspective on the global insurance landscape. Learning about the unique Lloyd’s market provided her with a deeper appreciation for the historical significance and innovative practices that distinguish it from the continental European market she was more familiar with. One standout experience was visiting the European Parliament’s strategic foresight team; an opportunity that showcased high-level risk management practices and reinforced the importance of strategic thinking in her professional approach. “It was inspiring,” Emily notes, highlighting how exposure to different organisational approaches to risk can expand one’s own professional toolkit.
Navigating Career Transitions
Emily acknowledges that she hasn’t been able to directly apply all the programme’s learnings in every role she has held. At the same time, this illustrates how modern risk professionals must be adaptable, moving between different aspects of organisational risk — from traditional insurance and prevention to emerging areas like sustainability reporting. With her recent move to Tessenderlo Group as Insurance Manager, she hopes to put her newly acquired knowledge into practice and further strengthen the company’s risk and insurance framework.
Building a Professional Community
The networking aspect of the programme has already proven its value. Emily emphasises how the expanded network changes her approach to problem-solving: “With the expanded network, I would more likely ask a question to the group of risk manager participants to gather ideas on how to tackle shared problems in the risk & insurance industry.”
Her enthusiasm for the connections made is evident: “Absolutely! I met so many diverse risk managers in the training and look forward to seeing them again at future European risk management events.” She offers practical advice for future participants: “A helpful tip for future participants is to initiate a WhatsApp or group chat to stay connected with classmates and fellow risk managers. This facilitates ongoing communication and the sharing of questions and insights.”
A combination with the RIMAP certification
Emily also holds the RIMAP certification, giving her a unique perspective on different approaches to risk management education. Rather than seeing them as directly complementary, she views both as excellent standalone opportunities: “I didn’t see so much as that they complement one another, but that both provide excellent training & development for a career in risk & insurance.” Her recommendation is clear and comprehensive: “I highly recommend both RIMAP and the FERMA-Lloyd’s Academy for all risk managers, whether new or experienced. RIMAP offers valuable certification, enhancing your credibility and career prospects in risk management. FERMA-Lloyd’s provides in-depth insights into specific topics and a chance to expand your professional network. These programs keep you updated on best practices in our rapidly evolving field.”
Looking Forward: AI and Geopolitical Horizons
Emily’s vision for the future of risk management in Belgium and Europe reflects both current trends and emerging challenges. She anticipates a stronger focus on digital transformation and geopolitical risk management. As technology advances, risk managers will need to integrate data analytics and AI to anticipate and mitigate risks more effectively. Additionally, the increasing complexity of geopolitical landscapes will require risk management strategies to adapt to shifting political dynamics and regulatory environments.
This forward-thinking perspective aligns with her personal development goals. She embraces the continuous learning aspect of the profession. She is particularly excited to grow in areas related to AI integration and geopolitical risk management, as these fields offer dynamic challenges and opportunities for innovation.
Emily’s experience with the FERMA-Lloyd’s Academy exemplifies the importance of continuous professional development in risk management. Her journey from a research perspective, to group risk management leadership, enhanced by targeted professional development programmes, demonstrates how career growth in this field requires both technical expertise and professional networks. For risk professionals considering similar development opportunities, Emily’s message is straightforward: invest in both education and connections. The combination of insights gained and relationships built through programmes like the FERMA-Lloyd’s Academy creates lasting value that extends far beyond any single role or organisation. As she starts her new role as Insurance Manager at Tessenderlo Group, Emily is confident that these experiences will help her deliver impact, building further on her track record of growth and adaptability.
