Kuala Lumpur, 12 March 2026 – The Institute of Risk Management (IRM) has strengthened its presence in Southeast Asia with the establishment of IRM Asia Sdn Bhd, a new Malaysian subsidiary that will serve as a regional hub for risk management education, professional development and industry collaboration.
Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the newly formed entity marks a strategic step in IRM’s expansion across the ASEAN region while maintaining strong links with the organisation’s global headquarters in London and its international network of risk professionals.
IRM Asia Sdn Bhd will focus on advancing risk management capabilities among organisations and professionals by providing training, networking opportunities and thought-leadership initiatives tailored to the rapidly evolving business and risk landscape.
HRD Corp Training Provider Status
In conjunction with its launch, IRM Asia has also secured recognition as an approved training provider under Malaysia’s Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp). The accreditation allows the institute to deliver globally recognised risk management education and certification programmes in Malaysia with funding support accessible to eligible employers and professionals.
The approval enables Malaysian companies to claim HRD Corp funding for IRM’s professional development courses, supporting efforts to strengthen workforce capabilities in enterprise risk management and organisational resilience.
Strengthening Risk Management Across ASEAN
The board of IRM Asia Sdn Bhd will be chaired by Dr Ian Livsey, Chief Executive Officer of IRM. Other directors include Zaf Khan, chair of the IRM Malaysia Group, Colin McRorey, a member of the global IRM board, and Victoria Robinson, IRM’s Head of Partnerships. Additional directors from across the ASEAN region are expected to join the board in the future.
IRM chairman Stephen Sidebottom said the organisation remains committed to developing risk professionals at every stage of their careers, from entry-level practitioners to chief risk officers, in order to strengthen risk cultures across industries.
Regional Collaboration and Industry Engagement
The establishment of IRM Asia also reflects the institute’s broader push to deepen regional engagement. The organisation has recently upgraded its membership with the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) to Sterling level and joined BritCham Singapore as a Sterling member as part of its ASEAN expansion strategy.
IRM plans to host an official launch event later this year in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together industry leaders, corporate risk professionals and strategic partners to discuss the future of risk management in Asia.
As global businesses face increasingly complex challenges, from geopolitical volatility and cyber threats to climate risks and supply-chain disruptions, the creation of IRM Asia underscores the growing importance of structured risk management frameworks in corporate strategy.
