Lamington drives and bake sales are now run with sound risk management practices, according to Vero.

Risk management goes beyond the boardroom and must be embraced by an organisation’s “front line”, EGM Commercial Portfolio & Underwriting Management Darren O’Connell told the company’s annual RMAdvancer awards.

“The fact that elderly Red Cross volunteers around Australia are now conducting risk assessments before they hold bake sales speaks volumes,” Mr O’Connell said.

“The work the Australian Red Cross is doing to introduce risk management practices to its network of more than 34,000 volunteers is an illustration of what can be achieved within a highly complex operation.”

Mr Connell, who heads Suncorp’s commercial portfolio and underwriting management, says a risk culture in organisations is a long-term goal.

“Developing a workplace culture that is constantly improving safety requires the participation of everyone in the team,” he said.

The Australian Red Cross, Melbourne Water, Ardent Leisure and Interflow won awards at the RMAdvancer ceremony – recognising excellence in risk management culture – in Melbourne last week.