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Lorna Whinyates, Corporate Risk Advisor at Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS), has won the ‘Rising Star Award’ at this year’s ALARM Risk Awards – a prestigious national recognition of excellence in risk management.
Following a successful career in teaching, Lorna joined AF&RS in September 2022 as Project Delivery Officer within the Service’s Transformation Team. In July 2023, she moved into the Corporate Assurance Team, where she has quickly made her mark.
Since taking on the Corporate Risk Advisor role, Lorna has led the development of a strengthened corporate risk management strategy, including a quantifiable approach to risk appetite and tolerance. She effectively manages the corporate risk register, meeting regularly with risk owners to ensure accurate, insightful reporting that supports informed decision making, and ultimately, better outcomes for the communities AF&RS serves.
Reacting to her win, Lorna said: “I was overwhelmed to hear my name announced as the winner, as being nominated and shortlisted was humbling enough. To be a rising star at 52 years of age shows that it’s never too late to throw yourself into something new. Risk management is definitely my ‘calling’ and I am excited for my ongoing career journey with AF&RS”.
Scott Ward, Corporate Assurance & Planning Manager, added: “Since joining us in July 2023, Lorna has transformed the way the Service understands and manages corporate risk. She has an exceptional ability to translate complex information into meaningful insight.
“This award – along with the CIR Public Sector Risk Management Award won in 2024 – is testament to Lorna’s talent, drive and impact. At this rate, we’ll need a bigger trophy cabinet! Congratulations, Lorna – this recognition is thoroughly well deserved.”
Lorna’s success builds on a strong year for the Corporate Assurance Team. She was previously shortlisted for ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the 2024 CIR Risk Management Awards, while the team won the ‘Public Sector Risk Management Award’ and was shortlisted for ‘Project of the Year’ at the Excellence in Fire & Emergency Awards 2024.
ALARM is a not-for-profit professional membership association that has supported risk management practitioners since 1991. The annual ALARM Risk Awards celebrates the excellent work in risk management teams and individuals do and provides an opportunity for those attending to promote and share ideas and learnings.