Justin Elks, BaxterBruce
Risk management practices in a post-Solvency II implementation era is a focus for Justin Elks. He joined consultancy BaxterBruce last year after a stint as director of risk at life insurer Just Retirement, where he was heavily involved in its internal model application. He served as interim chairman at Oric International from September until December 2015 and, having stepped down from the board, he will lead its new Operational Risk Leaders Forum from April 2016.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Risk is so broad, and working in it gives me the opportunity of satisfying my curiosity into what others do and how they do it whilst helping them.
Who do you most admire in the field of risk management?
The people I most admire are those unsung people who work daily to help to improve their organisations' management of risk with dedication and resilience. Caroline Coombe and the team have moved Oric forward from a data provider to a real community, sharing best practice in operational risk. I have a lot of admiration for my BaxterBruce colleagues - setting up a consulting business to take on the Big Four is not for the fainthearted.
Who or what has inspired your work?
The books of Adam Grant (Wharton Professor of Management) are inspiring, with lessons for risk management, but I learnt most fundamental techniques for my risk roles from the bizarre hybrid of my philosophy degree – in particular from Ludwig Wittgenstein's analytic philosophy – and my accountancy training.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to emulate your success?
I don't really think of myself as being successful – my ambition was always a rock star. I'd say try to give more than you seek to get; be authentic; be resilient; take risks; don't take it too seriously. All good advice I have failed to follow myself at one time or another.
What are your other interests?
My wife, three boys and two dogs are a big focus. I am a Christian and treasurer of my local church. I run to clear my head, and I still play cricket despite my aging body. I follow Stoke City. However, music has always been my passion, so with free time you'll find me listening or playing loudly in my small studio.
