My ALARM experience began at the registration desk, where I was greeted by the ALARM team. From the moment I checked in, every interaction was warm, friendly and supportive. After asking for my name and organisation, conversations often ended with the reassuring phrase, “Let us know if you need anything”. As someone new to both the conference and public services, those simple words made a significant difference. They created an immediate sense of belonging and reminded me that ALARM is more than a professional network—it is a community.
Before the conference sessions even began, the exhibition hall offered plenty to explore. The sponsors and exhibitors brought energy, enthusiasm and creativity to the event. Their stands were filled with engaging conversations, interactive games and an impressive collection of souvenirs and giveaways. More importantly, they were eager to share their expertise and discuss the work they do to support risk management professionals. I quickly found myself looking forward to exhibition breaks, knowing I would leave having learned something new about an organisation and picked up a useful insight.
The Conference officially kicked off with the networking evening at the Kimpton Hotel. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet professionals from across the country in a relaxed setting. Conversations flowed easily, moving from discussions about risk management and professional challenges to stories about families, careers and travel experiences. It felt less like meeting strangers and more like reconnecting with old friends.
The following morning, attention turned to the Conference programme and a packed agenda of learning opportunities. The opening keynote from Lisa Potts was both powerful and inspiring. Lisa shared her experience of surviving a traumatic attack while working as a nursery teacher and spoke candidly about the physical and emotional challenges she faced during her recovery. Her journey towards rebuilding her life, becoming a nurse and raising a family was a moving testament to resilience, determination and hope.
Across the conference, sessions explored a wide range of topics including artificial intelligence, leadership, collaboration, risk culture, crisis management, business continuity and organisational resilience.
One particularly engaging session focused on artificial intelligence and its growing role within organisations. Discussions covered the different categories of AI, its potential benefits and the risks associated with its use. The session reinforced the importance of adopting an ethical and responsible approach to AI and highlighted the need for organisations to establish clear governance around its use.
Another session introduced an interesting concept around the different levels of listening. It challenged attendees to think critically about how we engage with others during conversations. The levels ranged from ‘eye listening’ and the familiar nod of ‘acting listening’ through to listening with the intention of interrupting or responding. The highest level focused on listening deeply enough to accurately recap and understand what another person has said before forming a response. It was a simple but powerful reminder that effective communication begins with genuinely hearing and understanding others.
Several themes emerged consistently throughout the conference. Good risk management is not simply about maintaining lists and registers. Success depends on collaboration, communication and a willingness to embrace change. We were reminded that while our brains are naturally wired to focus on mistakes and potential threats, effective organisations focus their energy on learning, improving and building resilience.
The importance of communication was also highlighted through discussions around the ‘20-word test,’ which emphasised that first impressions matter, repetition helps messages stick, stories create meaningful connections and memorable conversations are more likely to influence behaviour.
Another recurring topic was the growing use of risk champions within organisations. These individuals act as the eyes and ears of risk management teams, helping to identify and escalate risks within their services. It reinforced one of the conference's strongest messages: risk management is not the responsibility of a single team—it belongs to everyone.
Looking back, my first ALARM National Conference exceeded every expectation. It provided valuable learning, introduced me to inspiring people and strengthened my understanding of the vital role risk management plays within the public sector. Most importantly, it demonstrated that behind every framework, policy and risk register are passionate professionals committed to supporting one another and making a difference.
I arrived in Manchester as a newcomer. I left feeling part of a community. Indeed, we are STRONGER TOGETHER.
