Introduction and Early Years

INTRODUCTION

Since its inception ALARM has grown from a small informal grouping of like-minded public sector managers to become the national forum for public sector risk management in the UK.  Drawing some 1700 members from central and local government; police and fire authorities; health and education bodies it is the largest public sector focused risk management organisation outside the United States.

Below is intended to provide a brief history and a tribute to those who have worked so tirelessly to its development.

THE EARLY YEARS

In the late 1980's in response specifically to escalating school property damage, a group was formed calling itself the North East Schools Risk Management Group.  Regional risk management groupings such as those in the northwest and southwest were being initiated.  To share information and avoid duplication a meeting of public sector representatives took place on 6th November 1990 at Lyme Hall, Stockport to discuss the establishment of a national grouping.

The outcome was the National Advisory Group for Risk Manager in Local Authorities.

The first 'executive' committee and probably the 'founding fathers' of the current ALARM were:

Max Andrews                                (Devon and Cornwall Constabulary)

Helen Aston                                   (Salford MBC)

Keith Banks                                    (Durham CC)

Alistair Buchan                              (Sunderland CC)

David Bull                                        (Cheshire CC)

Tom Cartwright                             (Leicestershire Constabulary)

Michael Clark                                 (Newcastle Upon Tyne)

Doug Cocoran                                (Home Office)

Tom Coulson                                  (Hendon Initiative Sunderland)

Chris East                                        (Cambridgeshire CC)

Ian Gammans                                (MMI)

David Hunt                                      (West Midlands Police)

Ken Kennedy                                  (Surrey CC)

Joe Whitfield                                  (Gloucester CC)

Tony Williams                                (Manchester Polytechnic) - Chairman

The Group's primary objective was to "facilitate and encourage local authorities to practice effective risk management to minimise the consequences of injury, loss and damage to staff, premises and property", through :

• Collation and distribution of relevant risk management information;
• Encouraging and fostering the development of initiatives and best practice;
• Minimising unnecessary duplication in developing risk management initiatives; and
• Serving and encouraging inter-agency risk management groups at regional and local level.

The above have stood the test of time and mirror our current objectives. 

Working groups on issues such as member training; youth involvement in crime; crime statistics and community involvement in crime prevention were established alongside internally focused groups such as that developing a constitution for the group.  Regional groups were formed in the North East; North West; South West; South East and East Anglia.  The first national seminar was held centred around crime reduction and prevention.

It was in September 1991 that the group changed its name to ALARM an acronym derived by Ken Kennedy, then Facilities and Risk Manager with Surrey County Council.  In the following May ALARM held its first AGM and decided that it would be necessary for individuals to seek formal membership.  No membership fees were charged.  Under the Chairmanship of Tony Williams, Services Director at Manchester Polytechnic the Executive were planning the first national conference.  Among that Executive were Chris East, and, Ken Kennedy who both later chaired the Association's Executive committee and Ian Gammans then with Municipal Mutual (MMI) now Zurich Municipal.  Ian's active involvement was indicative of MMI's (ZM's) interest and invaluable support in the early years.  Provider support and sponsorship facilitated growth and, particularly in the early years, sustainability.

The first Conference, held at the Moat House Hotel, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, on 19th May 1992, catered for one hundred and fifty delegates and a small exhibition.

Ken Kennedy recalls that this event....

...."was a low-key affair but there was quite a good attendance.  Chris [Chris East - then with Cambridgeshire County Council] invited the local MP, Dr Brian Malwhinney to make the opening speech.  Chris had to write it for him, of course.  We were not best pleased when he opened his session by saying that he couldn't understand why he had been asked to come and talk about risk management.  I wonder what happened to him....

Another memory from that event was the sight of our NE colleague Alastair Buchan....who had suffered a leg injury and was hobbling about on crutches, poking the esteemed guest in the chest with one of them while ranting on about some political bee in his bonnet.  We managed to separate them, brushed Dr Malwhinney down and grovelled as only local government officers know how!"

Of these early days, Ken Kennedy (then Chairman of ALARM) says....

"Those were difficult but regarding times.  My colleagues on the executive committee gave me tremendous support for which I thank them from the bottom of my heart.  I would like to think that the work we did laid a secure foundation for the Association in the years to come.  Come to think of it that does appear to be the case".