Mastering Risk Management Podcast MRM 116 CGR Mini-series Episode 1
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Sep 15, 2025 Leo Arouca, General Manager of Corporate Governance Risk in Australia, shares the inspiring journey of CGR, which has evolved from its modest beginnings in Perth to a global leader in risk management software. He discusses key innovations like the cloud-based architecture and user-friendly design that stemmed from valuable client feedback. Arouca also highlights the importance of adapting to regulatory changes and sustainability demands, revealing how customer insights have driven CGR's transformative updates. Tune in for more exciting discussions in future installments!
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Humble Origins Born From Frustration
- CGR started when founders, frustrated by complex expensive risk software in oil & gas, agreed to build an accessible system for a contact in Perth.
- They contracted to deliver a user-friendly risk tool within a year to broaden organisational access to risk management.
Risk Ownership Should Be Broad
- CGR's goal was to make risk management accessible to whole organisations rather than a single specialist.
- Wider participation was intended to align risk work with organisational objectives and decision-making.
Cloud-First, Simple Architecture
- CGR built a browser-based, cloud-first product using Ruby on Rails and JavaScript from the start.
- Early architecture focused on simple risk elements (causes, controls, consequences) with a bow-tie behavior but not a bow-tie UI.