With the unprecedented scale of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, now is the time for businesses to broaden their risk perspective. For businesses and disaster risk management professionals, the upheaval and crisis response to the pandemic have highlighted many lessons to be learnt for years to come.

To help confront these challenges, the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) will be hosting a Disaster Risk Management Webinar that focuses on managing risk and its impact on businesses in a world with ever-changing threats. Titled “Broadening our Perspective: Understanding Risk in an Evolving World”, the free webinar will be presented on Friday, October 2, 2020, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm by a team of knowledgeable and experienced risk management professionals.

According to Executive Director, Mrs. Misha Lobban-Clarke, “Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, are at risk in today’s climate of increasing threats and uncertainty. The global COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that in so many ways and it has added a new level to how businesses prepare for and manage risk as part of their business planning and continuity strategy. Through this webinar, the BCCI hopes to assist participants in broadening their perspectives on risk and provide the tools that can help businesses mitigate loss during times of uncertainty.

Sponsored by Sagicor Life Inc and Lynch Insurance Brokers, the key themes to be discussed include the management of multiple hazards and threats that continue to pose a risk to the economies in the region, using disaster risk reduction strategies effectively, calculating the value of business continuity and resilience; and strategies for navigating through disasters and loss mitigation.

The presenters who will share their perspectives on the topic include Paul Inniss, Executive Vice President and GM Sagicor Life Inc; Gregory Rose, CEO, Lynch Insurance Brokers; Kim Jones, Manager, Business Continuity Management, Sagicor Life Inc; Andria Grosvenor, Deputy Executive Director, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA); and Kerry Hinds, Director, Department of Emergency Management (DEM).

Gregory Rose, Group CEO, Lynch Insurance Brokers advises that, “We live in a dynamic world where a range of cascading scenarios can shut down your business. A holistic approach to business continuity is necessary. We need to focus on recovery of critical functions no matter the cause. Success will be defined by sound leadership, clear communication, compassion for people, and integration of our key stakeholders and communities.”

Commenting on the topic of the webinar, Executive VP and GM of Sagicor Life Inc, Paul Inniss, made the point that, “if 2020 has taught us anything, it is that risks are unpredictable. Forecast as much as we might, it is virtually impossible for us as individuals and businesses to predict what challenges we will encounter in the future. Therefore, we must broaden our risk perspective in an effort to put ourselves in the best position to handle whatever comes our way.”

Interested parties may register with the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

ENDS

About The BCCI
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the trusted voice of the business community in Barbados and we will seek to influence, through advocacy, the existing social, economic and business environments in order to create sustainable economic progress for all Barbadians.