How ARiMI set the foundations for structured ERM development in Asia
Recognising the Gap Before the Buzz
At ARiMI (Asia Risk Management Institute), we have been developing risk professionals through ERM certification in Asia long before Enterprise Risk Management became a corporate trend. While others began to repackage familiar training under the ERM label as global interest surged in the 2010s, ARiMI had already spent more than a decade working with regulators, corporations, and industry bodies to build principle-based frameworks grounded in the real operational challenges organisations face.
A National Catalyst for Regional Change
It all started in 2003, when the National University of Singapore recognised the growing need for structured Enterprise Risk Management education in Singapore. The university approached a senior insurance and reinsurance executive, Marc Ronez, who had earned a strong reputation for pioneering risk management solutions for corporate clients across Asia. Working alongside Professor Er Jwee Ping, they were tasked with developing a roadmap and certification programs to help organisations design and implement ERM strategies and practices locally. This collaboration led Marc Ronez, with the support of NUS Extension, to establish ARiMI (formerly known as the Asian Risk Management Institute).
Launching a Regional First
ARiMI officially launched Asia’s first structured ERM certification program. Developed and delivered in-house by experienced practitioners and respected academics, these programs were purpose-built to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and practical application. Unlike off-the-shelf training models, ARiMI’s approach focused on the operational realities faced by professionals in the region.
The collaboration with NUS Extension spanned more than a decade, laying critical groundwork for the foundation and advancement of ERM thinking and practices in Singapore and across Asia, long before ERM certification in Asia became a trend.
Moving Forward with Intentional Independence
Enterprise-wide ERM didn’t arrive in 2018. ARiMI had already been delivering it for 15 years by then.
As with many long-term collaborations, the partnership concluded naturally after fulfilling its shared objectives. From 2013, ARiMI continued delivering its programs independently, with an unwavering focus on advancing risk leadership through a structured body of knowledge, practitioner insight and regionally grounded relevance.
Our independence has always been intentional and carefully protected. Unlike many other certifications that are developed through external partnerships or aligned closely with commercial interests, ARiMI’s ERM certification in Asia has remained committed to developing its own frameworks, delivering its own training, and certifying professionals under rigorous standards. This independence preserves the integrity of our work and ensures that our curriculum, insights and structures remain original, objective and practically relevant.
By 2018, ARiMI had already been delivering structured, practitioner-led ERM programs in Asia for 15 years. Our certifications provide applied skills across key ERM domains, including:
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Governance
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Strategy integration
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Risk appetite and tolerance
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Emerging risk analysis
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Risk identification and assessment
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Mitigation and treatment planning
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Monitoring and reporting
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Business model understanding and organisational context
These were not recent introductions to the region. They have long been part of ARiMI’s curriculum — continuously updated to reflect real-world developments and designed for enterprise-wide application.
A Different Kind of ERM Certification in Asia
We were not created to serve optics. We were created to stand for credibility.
This principle continues to guide how we design our programs, uphold our standards, and support the growth of risk leaders in Asia and beyond. For professionals seeking an ERM certification that is grounded, independent, and recognised for its practical value, ARiMI remains a different standard by design.
Looking to strengthen your ERM capabilities with structure, clarity and relevance?
Explore ARiMI’s professional certification pathways:
- Certified Professional Risk Manager (ARiMI-CPRM™) Program
- Certified Enterprise Risk Professional (ARiMI-CERP™) Program
- Certified Enterprise-wide Risk Manager (ARiMI-CERM™) Program
These programs are designed to equip practitioners and leaders with the tools to think critically and lead confidently in complex environments.