Empowering Innovation in Risk Management!
In the realm of global risk management, the transportation infrastructure industry stands as a dynamic frontier where challenges are met with innovative solutions and unwavering commitment. This narrative unveils the journey of a visionary leader, navigating this industry’s intricate landscape and forging a path toward a safer, more sustainable future.
Meet Ramón Kuri, a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in risk and internal controls. His journey from academia to automotive finance, and later to the distinguished “Big Four” accounting firms, laid the foundation for his pivotal role as the Global Chief Risk Officer at Aleatica. Through years of dedication, Ramón has honed the skills necessary to seamlessly integrate risk management capabilities into diverse organizational frameworks.
At Aleatica, a global player in transportation infrastructure, Ramón spearheads the development of a comprehensive risk management program. This program, implemented across multiple countries, unifies risk practices, and strengthens the company’s operational efficiency. With a significant presence in Latin America and Europe, Aleatica’s mission under Ramón’s leadership is to revolutionize the industry, one risk at a time.
This narrative not only celebrates Ramón Kuri’s transformative leadership but also illuminates Aleatica’s commitment to shaping a safer, more sustainable transportation landscape.
Join us on this compelling journey as we explore the dynamic intersection of risk management, innovative mobility, and global impact!
From Mexico City to Global Risk Management
Ramón Kuri, the Global Chief Risk Officer at Aleatica, hails from Mexico City. Following the completion of his BA, he pursued a master’s program in business administration with a specialization in finance at the Universidad Anahuac. Following his academic pursuits, Ramón transitioned into the financial department of an automotive company. Soon after, he embarked on a new journey with one of the renowned “Big Four” accounting firms, where he undertook the responsibility of leading the development of internal audit capabilities.
Over the years, Ramón Kuri has demonstrated a continuous commitment to learning and refining skills crucial to risk and internal control operations. He has held various roles and positions, enabling him to assist numerous organizations in seamlessly integrating and ingraining risk management capabilities into their operational framework and business decision-making processes. Through these endeavors, Ramón has collaborated with professionals at all management levels, from mid-level managers to C-suite executives and board members. This extensive experience has uniquely qualified him for the pivotal role of Chief Risk Officer at Aleatica.
Fostering a Culture of Proactive Risk Management
During his college years, Ramón Kuri ventured into the hospitality sector, a period that instilled in him enduring principles guiding his approach to various aspects of life: collaboration, discipline, and integrity. Presently, he applies these foundational principles within his team, encouraging them to proactively identify potential risks on the horizon. He emphasizes the importance of taking ownership and fostering accountability to address these challenges effectively.
Within Aleatica, Ramón Kuri has implemented a structured periodic review process. This involves engaging in thorough discussions and evaluations with internal risk owners across various Business Units. These sessions are dedicated to monitoring the status of residual risks and the progress of mitigation plans. Ramón places great emphasis on open and candid conversations, fostering an environment where his team collaborates seamlessly. By working alongside his team members, he ensures alignment and unity of purpose in managing risks effectively.
Charting a Vision for Integrated Risk Management at Aleatica
Since joining Aleatica in 2019, Ramón Kuri has embarked on a transformative journey. Leading the risk management efforts for a global company with a significant presence across Latin America and Europe has been an invigorating challenge. At Aleatica, a company focused on the operation of transportation infrastructure, Ramón seized the opportunity to pioneer the development of a comprehensive global risk management program. He initiated this program from the ground up, establishing a unified language and a cohesive approach to effectively handle risks and capitalize on opportunities. This program has been instrumental in harmonizing risk management practices across Aleatica’s business units in the seven countries of operation, namely the UK, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Peru. Under Ramón’s stewardship, Aleatica has made significant strides in elevating its risk management capabilities on a global scale.
Aleatica, under the stewardship of its controlling shareholder, IFM Investors, has demonstrated remarkable prowess in infrastructure management. IFM Investors, an esteemed Australian investment fund specializing in infrastructure, oversees a staggering portfolio of assets exceeding $143 billion dollars on a global scale. At present, Aleatica efficiently manages an extensive portfolio, including16 highways, two commercial ports, a light railway, and an airport. Ramón Kuri’s strategic proximity to various business units and functional departments has played a pivotal role in ensuring seamless operations. Through continuous monitoring and the implementation of regular training programs at all organizational levels, Aleatica has solidified its commitment to the safety of employees and its infrastructure users. This dedication not only upholds their well-being but also augments the overall operational efficiency of the company. The collective efforts of Aleatica, driven by Ramón Kuri’s leadership, have undoubtedly contributed to the company’s success and its standing as a stalwart in the infrastructure management sector.
Safety serves as the cornerstone of Aleatica’s operations, underpinning its unwavering commitment since its inception. The company is resolutely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Second Decade for Road Safety 2021-2030. As part of this commitment, Aleatica has set a robust target to reduce, by 2030, road fatalities by 50% on the roads under its purview. To achieve this, the company has allocated a substantial global investment of $134 million euros for the period of 2020-2024. Central to Aleatica’s Road Safety Strategy is the implementation of the Accident Reduction Program (PRA). This program places strategic emphasis on managing the three critical risk factors associated with road transportation: infrastructure, driver behavior, and vehicle conditions. Through these efforts, Aleatica not only demonstrates its steadfast dedication to road safety but also plays a pivotal role in shaping a safer and more secure transportation landscape.
Consolidating a team of experienced professionals has also been critical for Ramón Kuri to ensure potential risks are identified and prevented from escalating into crises. Risks associated with environmental, social, and governance criteria have been seamlessly integrated, accompanied by the development of manuals to identify and evaluate physical risks linked to climate change and transitional risks in day-to-day operations. The emphasis on prevention underscores their commitment to averting the escalation of risks.
Furthermore, promoting risk awareness within the organization has been an important initiative led by Ramón Kuri. Through successful training and communication projects, he has empowered colleagues to identify and communicate potential risks effectively. In the past year, the addition of “Opportunity Management” to the risk management framework, complemented by a dedicated 13,200 hours of training to employees, reflects Ramón Kuri’s dedication to cultivating a culture of proactive risk management and capitalizing on opportunities for growth and improvement.
Fostering Sustainable Impact: Aleatica’s Approach
At Aleatica, risk and opportunity management constitute an ever-evolving process. Each year, the company conducts a thorough review of its risk program, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and compliance with the requirements of both internal and external stakeholders.
The integration of the risk management process with Aleatica’s materiality studies plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s ESG strategy. These studies serve as a crucial tool for identifying the pressing needs of communities where Aleatica operates, as well as evaluating other pertinent environmental and corporate governance issues.
Derived from the insights gleaned through materiality studies, Aleatica has formulated its Strategic Sustainability Plan. This comprehensive plan encompasses specific community outreach initiatives, strategies for adapting to climate change, measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, enhancements in energy efficiency, and initiatives for biodiversity conservation, among other key areas. This approach underscores Aleatica’s commitment to sustainable practices and its dedication to creating a positive impact on both local communities and the environment.
Aleatica incorporates ESG factors into its risk analysis, enabling proactive measures in risk mitigation, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster stronger ties with the communities in which it operates. This approach serves the dual purpose of meeting the expectations of both investors and clients while reinforcing Aleatica’s core pillars of prioritizing safety, upholding corporate integrity, and championing social and environmental sustainability.
As an illustration, Aleatica is spearheading a project that will establish 30 new pollinator gardens in public schools across Mexico, funded by the latest round of the IFM Investors Community Grants Program. These gardens, composed exclusively of indigenous succulent plants, will be designed in the likeness of crucial pollinating creatures like hummingbirds, bees, bats, and butterflies. The initiative aims to educate and instill an appreciation for the vital role of preserving biodiversity, encompassing both flora and fauna, while emphasizing the importance of advocating for soil conservation and responsible water consumption. The project also advances the sustainable management of recyclable solid waste and organic matter.
Through proactive engagement with stakeholders in the communities it serves, Aleatica takes strategic steps to mitigate risks. This includes active listening to individuals who may have concerns or suggestions for enhancing operations, ultimately contributing to the reduction of safety risks on the roads. By adopting a proactive stance towards social and community engagement, Aleatica effectively minimizes risks while simultaneously enhancing opportunities for positive outcomes.
Collaborative Empowerment
In their leadership approach, collaboration, empowerment, and effective communication take precedence. They actively promote open channels of communication, ensuring that risk owners and team members can identify potential risks and deliberate on appropriate mitigation strategies.
Empowerment is a cornerstone of their leadership style. They firmly believe in granting their team members the autonomy to take charge of their responsibilities, lead initiatives, and make informed decisions. By providing the necessary resources and unwavering support, they foster an environment where individuals can thrive and excel in their roles, trusting them to deliver results.
Maintaining an open-door policy, they create an atmosphere where colleagues feel at ease sharing insights and addressing concerns related to risk management. This inclusive approach has proven instrumental in cultivating a positive, risk-aware culture across the organization. They have witnessed firsthand how these elements work in tandem to fortify the organization’s risk management practices.
Aleatica’s Control Centers: Ensuring Safety and Security
In the countries of operation, Aleatica’s Control Centers play a pivotal role. Notably, in Mexico, where they oversee a challenging 117-kilometer road known as Circuito Exterior Mexiquense, security is of paramount concern. The Control Center here boasts one of the most advanced risk management systems, equipped with almost 100 cameras capable of identifying a wide spectrum of issues, from a toll road user experiencing a flat tire to potential security breaches.
The insights gleaned from these observations serve as the foundation for future strategies related to security measures and client service enhancements. Additionally, Aleatica has established weather stations to monitor climate-related risks and implemented speed cameras to heighten user awareness, regulate speeds, and elevate overall safety standards.
Notably, Aleatica’s emergency response coordination in Mexico surpasses the response time of 911 services. In a proactive move, Aleatica collaborates closely with local authorities, aligning efforts to address security challenges. This collaborative approach ensures that the State of Mexico’s police force has seamless access to the Centers’ camera feeds, enabling swift assistance to users in need.
Fostering Trust, Compliance, and Cybersecurity
Aleatica upholds integrity, transparency, and corporate governance as fundamental pillars that underpin its business operations. The company is dedicated to being viewed by its stakeholders – including customers, clients, employees, suppliers, allies, governments, and communities – as a dependable, consistent, and value-driven partner. Aleatica draws on the support and expertise of its controlling shareholder, IFM Investors, an adherent to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, which actively oversees the company’s operations.
For every infrastructure project undertaken, Aleatica meticulously follows clear and appropriate procedures to secure municipal, state, federal, regional, national, and community permits. Notably, in 2022, the company and its employees were not subject to any adverse rulings in legal cases, sanctions, fines, or similar matters related to licensing, corruption, unfair competition, ESG-related issues, or human rights violations.
Aleatica has implemented a robust Cybersecurity Framework rooted in the NIST-CSF (National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework). This framework provides a structured approach to mitigating the risks associated with cybersecurity threats that could potentially compromise information security or disrupt business operations. In 2022, the company recorded a total of 205 events and three cybersecurity incidents; it is worth noting that no data breaches occurred during this period.
Forward-Thinking Approach
As part of its risk awareness initiatives, Aleatica has incorporated an emerging risk training program for all its Business Units. This program provides a platform for risk owners to engage in discussions pertaining to medium and long-term risks, ultimately leading to the creation of a watchlist for vigilant monitoring.
Tech-Driven Risk Management: Future Strategies
The future of risk management is set to integrate advanced technologies, with a particular emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, highlighting resilience and a proactive risk management approach. For instance, AI systems demonstrate the capability to rapidly detect accidents, often anticipating calls to emergency services by drivers. Furthermore, the utilization of historical data enables the prediction of traffic patterns, aiding in the planning of special events and road maintenance. By embracing these progressive trends, organizations are better equipped to navigate risk effectively, averting costly disruptions.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that risk management is an ongoing, dynamic process that requires consistent vigilance and engagement from every member of the organization. Given the continually evolving risk landscape, regular reviews and updates to the risk management program are imperative. Looking ahead, there is anticipation and enthusiasm for the evolution of risk management practices, with a strong commitment to contributing to this transformative journey.
