Former Cabinet Minister Sir Michael Portillo, Peter Hillary, accomplished mountaineer and Commander Lippold, US Naval Commander (Ret) share insights on leadership and risk

Maidenhead, UK. 13 January 2015 – Sword Active Risk, a supplier of specialist risk management software and services, has announced the guest speakers at the company’s forthcoming Global Customer Conference series, which includes events in London, Washington DC, Sydney and new for 2015, Doha. Invited speakers include the Right Honourable Michael Portillo, Commander Kirk Lippold, (retired) of the US Navy and Peter Hillary, the accomplished mountaineer. The speaker line up for each conference will include a comprehensive program with industry speakers such as strategy and risk expert Gerard Ashley, customer presentations, and product demonstrations. Attendees will also have the opportunity to preview the next major release of Active Risk Manager (ARM), version 8.0.

“We are delighted to be running our annual conference series again, the feedback from delegates who attended our previous series has been that these events are fast becoming a highlight in the risk management calendar,” said Keith Ricketts, Marketing Director at Sword Active Risk. “The events are a great opportunity for our customers to learn about new developments and network with their peers, as well as hear some inspirational speakers talking about their life experiences.”

The London conference will be held in Mayfair, London UK, on 25th June 2015 with guest speaker Michael Portillo, whose experience within the government provide him with notable insights into a high profile world where risk has a national and international impact. Michael worked for government ministers between 1976 and 1983 before entering the House of Commons in 1984 and was a minister for eleven years, holding three positions in the Cabinet, including Secretary of State for Defence. Now a writer and broadcaster, he regularly appears on BBC1 and Radio 4 political and current affairs and documentary programmes.

Also speaking at the London conference is Gerard Ashley, former banker in London, Hong Kong and Switzerland and now risk and behaviour expert. Gerald has published two books exploring the impact of both explosive and gradual change. In presentations he shows how we misunderstand risks and have too narrow a view of models and decision making.

Speaking at the US Conference taking place at the Renaissance Arlington Hotel, Washington DC, on 2nd & 3rd June 2015, will be Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.). Throughout his career Commander Lippold has served in extreme risk environments and was Commanding Officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen. Under his command, he and his crew heroically saved the American war ship from sinking. Front Burner: Al Qaeda’s Attack on the USS Cole, is Commander Lippold’s historical narrative of the 12th October 2000 bombing while at a refuelling stop. He called the attack the “start of the war on terror” and his experiences expound the importance of leadership and management in high risk situations.

The final event in the series will take place at Pier One Sydney Harbour Hotel, Sydney, Australia on 16th September 2015, where the guest speaker is Peter Hillary, the accomplished mountaineer who has summited Everest and forged a new route to the South Pole. Peter comes from one of the great families of mountaineering and has a history of world-class achievements in climbing, where managing risks and working in teams is integral to success. Peter delivers an inspiring message through his expeditionary stories.

The first event of the series is the inaugural conference for the Middle East to be held at the Four Seasons Hotel, Doha, Qatar on 21st May 2015.

More details and registration details can be found on the Sword Active Risk website at https://www.armgcc.com/

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About Sword Active Risk
Sword Active Risk makes risk management simple, valuable and personal. Sword Active Risk provides the world’s first risk management software that drives business performance by enhancing visibility, accountability and confidence at project, program and enterprise levels. Active Risk Manager (ARM) is the first solution available which integrates Risk Management, Cost Management and Schedule Management to show the real impact of risk, to enable better-informed decisions, and the ability to leverage risk to create competitive advantage.

Sword Active Risk is the project risk software provider of choice for the world’s leading Energy, Infrastructure and Defense projects, working with organizations like the US Air Force, Bechtel, Crossrail, US Federal Aviation Administration, Lockheed Martin, Rio Tinto and Skanska to manage project risk worldwide.

Sword Active Risk has offices in the UK, USA and Australia, servicing customers worldwide directly and through a growing network of partners.

In September 2013 Active Risk was acquired by Sword Group. For more information please visit:www.sword-group.com

For further information and a detailed view of Sword Active Risk and ARM please visit: www.activerisk.com
Editors Contacts

Andreina West/Mary Phillips
PR Artistry
+44 (0) 1491 639500
andreina@pra-ltd.co.uk