From Adrian: My career in business continuity began unexpectedly when as part of a broad-based organisational re-alignment I was gifted the responsibility for the largely neglected business continuity policy. 

Since then, I have gained over 9 years’ experience and knowledge in leading the uplift and establishment of business continuity and resilience programs across complex organisations. Over that period, my passion for business continuity and resilience has quickly developed and grown stronger.  

Working across local government and higher education, I’ve been involved in the full range of business continuity and resilience functions, including development and implementation of policy & strategy, training, and awareness programs, facilitating innumerable business impact analysis workshops, planning, and executing test exercises and direct involvement in live business interruptions.  

Along the way, I feel I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge and experience and managed to achieve the MBCI and look forward to contributing to the broader business continuity and resilience industry during my time as an award judge.   

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I consider joining the awards program as a judge, an opportunity to take on a more active and prominent role within the Business Continuity Institute and the business continuity and resilience industry more broadly. Particularly, this provides opportunity to contribute to and provide support in guiding the future direction and initiatives of the award program.  

I feel the skills I’ve developed from local government and higher education place me in a great position to become an asset to the business continuity institute as an awards judge and the industry more broadly.   

Ammar is an accomplished and experienced professional in the field of business continuity and resilience, with a career spanning over 23 years. He is a leading expert in the industry, and has earned numerous certifications and accreditations in the areas of resilience, business continuity, crisis management, supply chain risk, and climate change risk. As a member of the BCI (MBCI), Ammar is deeply committed to advancing the field of business continuity and resilience through his work. 

Ammar's unique life journey has played a significant role in shaping his approach to resilience. Having lived in three richly diverse  countries, and cultures, he has gained a deep appreciation for the value and power of diversity. This perspective informs his work, enabling him to build and scale successful and award-winning BCM programs across the globe. His programs have been awarded and recognized by prestigious institutions such as Forbes, BCI, and CIR, among others. 

In addition to his work in the industry, Ammar is a committed thought leader. He is a board member on MIT's Crisis Course Resilience advisory board. Through his work, Ammar is dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to build resilience and thrive in the face of adversity. 

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

As an experienced BCM professional who has received support from the BCI & the Industry throughout my career growth, I am motivated to give back by becoming a BCI Awards Judge. With a strong track record of winning BCI Awards, I am committed to promoting excellence and, evaluating nominees from a global perspective, taking into account unique cultural, and social factors, I aim to recognize and celebrate those who are making a positive impact in the BCM Industry.  As an award judge, I would be honored to play a role in recognizing excellence in the Business Continuity & Resilience industry. 

With over 20 years of diverse experience in emergency response, crisis management, resilience, and business continuity, I endeavour to serve as a seasoned contributor and leader in the field. From advising major energy corporations like ADNOC and BP to coordinating humanitarian emergency response with the United Nations / UNICEF and ShelterBox International, my proven track record showcases an adaptability and proficiency across various sectors, geographies, and complex environments.

Privileged to lead multi-national teams, develop crisis management frameworks, and implement resilience strategies for high-risk operations, I strive to grow a keen understanding of holistic enterprise risk management and business continuity. I am committed to enhancing organizational preparedness and response capabilities, demonstrated with previous and sustained dedication to consulting and pro-bono services with organizations including the Resilience Advisors Network (RAN), the Irish Red Cross, Emirates Red Crescent, and EU / DG ECHO.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

My desire to become a BCI Awards Judge stems from his unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of crisis management and resilience. Having dedicated my career to preserving life, and enhancing organizational preparedness and response capabilities, I see this opportunity to give back to the profession, inspire future leaders, and personally learn and grow.

I am eager to contribute my experience and perspective to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements within the industry. My passion for fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge aligns perfectly with the BCI's mission of promoting excellence and best practices in business continuity.

Atiq Bajwa, FBCI, is a distinguished leader in the business continuity and resilience industry, with over two decades of experience driving organizational resilience across the Middle East. Currently serving as the Chief Risk Officer at Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding Company in Saudi Arabia, Atiq oversees the development and implementation of enterprise-wide risk management and resilience strategies, ensuring the organization is well-prepared to navigate uncertainties and disruptions.

As a Fellow of the Business Continuity Institute (FBCI) and a founding member and the Leader of the BCI Saudi Arabia Chapter, Atiq has played a pivotal role in advancing the profession in the region. His thought leadership and expertise have made him a sought-after speaker, moderator, and panelist at numerous BCM and resilience conferences, where he shares insights on emerging trends, best practices, and innovative strategies.

Atiq’s career is marked by his ability to design and implement robust business continuity frameworks, aligning them with global standards like ISO 22301. Beyond his professional achievements, he actively mentors aspiring professionals and advocates for the adoption of resilience best practices. His dedication to excellence and his passion for promoting resilient cultures have earned him recognition as a trusted authority in the field.

Through his leadership at Sulaiman Alrajhi Holding and his active engagement in the BCI community, Atiq continues to shape the future of business continuity in the Middle East, inspiring organizations to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Business continuity and resilience have been at the heart of my career, and I have always been passionate about developing young professionals and advocating for excellence in the field. I see the BCI Awards as a crucial platform to recognize outstanding contributions and inspire the next generation of resilience practitioners. Becoming a judge allows me to contribute more meaningfully by celebrating achievements, sharing best practices, and helping to raise global standards in the profession. This role aligns perfectly with my commitment to advancing resilience and supporting the growth of future leaders in the industry.

From Brigid: I am an experienced, qualified business continuity and resilience practitioner, and I am also a passionate champion of our field of work. I have successfully uplifted and embedded business continuity management systems in a variety of industries in both the private and public sectors in New Zealand. I have also assessed and validated the business continuity capabilities of critical domestic and global suppliers in the banking and finance sectors. I’m well versed in the business continuity lifecycle and how to maximise its application in organisations of any size.  

New Zealand’s appetite for business continuity management systems outside of regulated industries is still reasonably small. With the increasing frequency of severe weather events, earthquakes, exposure to pandemics and cyber-crime in New Zealand (as with the rest of the world) I feel like practitioners in New Zealand finally have the leverage we need to uplift the understanding and promote the value of business continuity.  It is an exciting time to be business continuity and resilience practitioner!

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I wanted to become a BCI Awards Judge because I strongly believe that by recognising what “best” looks like in our peers and the work they are doing, we can all learn and strive to be better. Innovation and growth mindsets go hand in hand with uplifting and promoting our industry – what better way to showcase business continuity and resilience than through a robust local and global awards programme.  I am also an ardent promoter of diversity, equity and inclusion and am delighted that we have this as one of the awards categories.

Cary Jasgur serves as the Global Governance and Resilience Lead for Solventum, he has over 30 years of experience in Enterprise Resilience, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, Crisis Management and Communications, Emergency Management, Incident Management, and Pandemic Planning. Cary has developed and led many Enterprise Resilience projects in global financial services, global healthcare, higher education, global biotech, global pharmaceuticals, global insurance, global legal, and federal, state, and local government markets, within the United States and Europe.

Cary currently holds an FBCI, MBCP, and PMP, and as just finished his two (2) terms as the Chair for the Editorial Advisory Board for Disaster Recovery Journal, as well as a member of The Business Continuity Institute USA Chapter and sits on the Diversity and Inclusion Workstream and the Membership Engagement Workstream. 

Cary has spoken at several industry conferences on a variety of topics within the Enterprise Resilience space. In addition, Cary is the author of three (3) articles on Enterprise Resilience published in the Journal of Business Continuity and Emergency Management. Cary holds a dual Master of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and Project Management and Leadership, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical Management.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I really wanted the opportunity to be able to recognise the individuals and organizations in our industry with the prestige of a BCI award, being able to show that there are trailblazers setting the path for the rest of us to follow, the in benefit and furtherment of our industry to address not only the challenges we face today, but those that await us in the future. Additionally, I felt that it would also serve as a learning experience for myself, in seeing how others in the industry to charging into the future and breaking into new and uncharted territories.

I've been in the industry for over 15 years, gaining extensive experience across various sectors, including Financial Services, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Education, Consulting, and Technology. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of contributing to projects and programmes at local, national, and global levels, allowing me to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complexities inherent in each industry. I've been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with some of the most influential and respected leaders — true heavy hitters whose expertise and mentorship have profoundly shaped my professional perspective. Their insights and guidance have greatly enriched my approach, deepening my appreciation for the critical importance of Business Continuity and Resilience.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I wanted to become a BCI Awards Judge to uphold the integrity, fairness, and high standards of the BCI awards programme. I am passionate about ensuring that recognition is truly earned by individuals and organizations that demonstrate excellence in business continuity and resilience. Having previously raised concerns over undeserved awards, I am committed to maintaining the credibility of BCI. I also value diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring all submissions are assessed fairly, without bias, and with consideration for varied industries and cultural contexts. This role allows me to maintain the BCI’s reputation while celebrating genuine professional achievements.

From Daman: With over 38 years in the industry and over 18 years in the Resilience domains, I am a Certified International and Corporate Trainer with over 15500 hours of training/ teaching experience, achieving 100% NPS, and holding 18 copyrights, a CPD Member, 2 courses are CPD certified, and author of 10 published books on Resilience.

In my professional journey (TCS, Xansa, Continuity & Resilience, Cityinnovates, EY/ HSBC, SAFE, Chitkara University), I have played various senior roles (Principal Consultant, Group Head, Practice Head, COO, CIO, VP, Board Member, Program Director, Professor of Practice etc.).

I have travelled/ worked to/in over 20 countries and am an International Speaker.

I have served clients in various industry sectors like Government, IT, Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Telecom, Marine, Manufacturing, Pharma, Power, Media, Trading etc.

I have won multiple national and global awards and have also been inducted into BCI Hall of Fame.

As LinkedIn invited contributor, I have contributed to over 300 articles so far, and am a Top Voice – Training & HR.

I am currently a Professor of Practice (Chitkara University), Director (DBD Training & Consultancy) and serve in Cybersecurity, Operational/ Organisational Resilience, BCM, Risk, and Crisis. I am the Past Chair – PR&P Standing Committee IEEE Delhi Section, and IEEE Ambassador.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I have won 5 BCI Awards myself and am 3 times Finalist to Lifetime Achievement Award DRII. One top objective to be a judge is to now use my experience for rewarding others/ newcomers. Second is a lagging objective that more people will be inclined to be the BCI Awards Judges and many more will get encouraged to apply for these awards. Ultimately many more will come forward to join BCM/ Resilience domain and work for promoting BCI in particular. Finally, it adds to my profile – simply!

From David: I have extensive experience and skills as a MBCI since 2008 (and previously as an AFBCI). I have been a Business Continuity professional since 2001, and currently am the Director of Business Continuity and Emergency Management in one of the largest Commonwealth government departments in Australia. In this role I provide specialist advice and lead the team responsible for the department’s business continuity and resilience. My particular interest is in exercise management and enterprise risk. In previous roles as the Director of Enterprise Risk and the Chief Risk Officer, I led my department’s enterprise risk management team and provided specialist risk advice and support to the department’s Governance Boards. 

In my career, I have worked across all aspects of business continuity, disaster recovery and crisis management. I have played a key role in Whole of Government emergency responses across various jurisdictions. I have developed, implemented, exercised and continually improved my department’s business continuity strategies and have led incident management teams in responding to various internal and external incidents. I am also a member of the Leadership Committee of the BCI Australasian Chapter.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I have been a BCI Awards Judge since late 2021 and look forward to continuing in this role. I am deeply committed to advancing business continuity, and “giving back” to the professional community. I believe that the work of the BCI is critical in promoting best practices and being in the Awards panel will enable me to support this. I have enjoyed reading the depth and variety of work that other BC professionals are undertaking across the world. I have found being a BCI Judge exciting and fulfilling, and hope to advance the continuity and resilience profession.

From Des: I have been a BCM professional for 35 years and remain passionate about the practices as they have matured in an always changing risk landscape.  I became a member and Fellow of the BCI in 1996, championing the progression of thinking from recovery to continuity and the emerging alignment with operational risk management. I worked for many years in financial services, as well as across multiple sectors, both in program leadership roles and as a consultant. In recent years I have been contributing to the BCI regularly by participating in numerous initiatives and by holding several group leader roles. I have been privileged to receive 3 BCI awards myself, including Honorary FBCI in October 2024.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

As a strong believer in the awards program, I have been judging for over 10 years, across all regions. As some changes in the program are introduced, I want to continue my contributions to the effort. The excellence of many in our profession goes unrecognized for years and the BCI Awards present a vital opportunity to address this.

From Eugenia: I’m a seasoned risk and resilience consultant with 20+ years of expertise in Business Continuity Management (BCM), Crisis Management, IT Security, and Privacy Compliance. A BCI member since 2007, I’m active in the Melbourne Chapter.

Half my career has been in telecommunications, leading BCM programs across Europe, Asia, and Australia, including ISO 22301 certifications. A standout moment was spearheading COLT’s UK operations readiness for the London Olympics, ensuring seamless business continuity.

I’ve guided organizations through major disruptions, including terror events, natural disasters, and cyber incidents. Recently, I supported NSW Government’s response and recovery from a large-scale data breach. Now, at IIS Partners, I advise critical infrastructure operators.

Based in Melbourne, I frequently visit family and friends in Barcelona.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I am honoured to have been invited back as a Judge for the BCI Awards, having found the experience incredibly enriching. The program allows me to contribute to the profession, volunteer with BCI, and engage with cutting-edge innovation in our field. It also provides a valuable opportunity to expand my network of BCI professionals. While last year was my first time judging—with my training wheels on—I now return with renewed enthusiasm to celebrate excellence in our dynamic community. I’m confident that my passion for the profession and commitment to the program’s values will help support the success of this year’s awards.

Frank (Kai Fat CHOW) has more than 20 years of working experience in the business continuity and cyber security industry across Asia-Pacific and leading a team of professionals in the delivery of business continuity services, cyber security risk management, and security operation center. He is an advocate of a number of international leading practices, such as implementing ISO 22301 business continuity management standard, ISO 27001 information security management, and ISO 20000 IT service management for various multinational companies. He was invited to serve on various advisory panels of local and global organizations, such as (ISC)2, DotAsia, Education Bureau (EDB), Employees Retraining Board (ERB), Hong Kong Internet Registration Corporation Limited (HKIRC) and Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS). 

Frank has been honored with several regional and local recognized awards, including 

• BCI Asia Business Continuity Award (2011 & 2012); 
• (ISC)2 Honoree of Asia Pacific Information Security Leadership Award (2010 & 2014); 

Frank holds several global recognized business continuity and information security designations, including MBCI, CBCP, CGEIT, CRISC, CISM, CISA, CISSP, ISSAP, ISSMP, CSSLP, CCSP, C|CISO, CEH, CHFI, TOGAF, PMP etc. His white papers were published in the industrial booklet, local and international journals. 

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Frank Chow expresses his desire to continue contributing to the success of the BCI Awards as a judge, demonstrating his commitment to fairness, impartiality, and thoroughness in the selection process. He believes that his skills and experience would make him an asset to the judging panel, particularly his strong communication and analytical skills. He emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the selection process, and their commitment to promoting these values. He strives to ensure that all applicants are evaluated on the basis of merit and would provide feedback to help applicants improve his business continuity efforts. Overall, Frank Chow is enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as a judge for the BCI Awards and contribute to its success.

With a 25-year career in the UK health sector, Helen has made significant contributions across a broad spectrum of roles. Her career has spanned finance, quality improvement, operational management, commissioning, and, most recently, business continuity and emergency planning. Helen led on and successfully implemented new business continuity management systems within two large organizations.

Helen's approach to business continuity is characterised by a focus on engagement, training, and exercising. She focuses on collaborating with a broad range of colleagues at all levels, ensuring comprehensive understanding and integration of business continuity. Beyond her work in large organisations, Helen has extended her expertise to charities and smaller organisations helping them establish business continuity frameworks.

In addition to her professional achievements, Helen has applied her skills in crisis management and business continuity as a lead volunteer at several large-scale events in the voluntary sector.

Helen has an MSc in Emergency Management and Resilience and a particular interest in crisis decision making and is eager to share the knowledge and insights gained through this advanced study.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

My interest in joining the judging panel stems from my commitment to recognising notable practice as well as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the profession. I also regard it as an opportunity to develop my own practice by networking with other professionals and engaging with innovative projects.

Integrating diverse voices is critical in assessing awards, as it ensures a broad range of initiatives and contributions are recognised and valued.  I am passionate about promoting business continuity as a career choice for young people and if we can demonstrate that the profession is relevant to them, they are much more likely to engage.

Ian Clark has over 35 years’ experience as a business continuity management practitioner with extensive practical experience of the necessary disciplines and roles essential in developing and delivering holistic Business Continuity Management solutions across multiple industry sectors encompassing diverse cultures. 

His global experience in providing consultancy services in many business sectors and at all levels within organisations ranging from multi-national businesses and governments to small or medium sized organisations.  Ian strongly advocates integrating risk and business continuity management techniques throughout the organisational to develop a resilient and balanced continuity programme that is suited to the organisation’s needs and culture. 

Over his career he has served on the BCI Board firstly as Standards Director and latterly as the Chair of the Global Membership Council.  As a strong advocate of business continuity management as a profession he has presented all facets of a holistic approach to Business Continuity in many countries at national and international events.  He has also conducted numerous seminars and workshops tailored to local and cultural requirements.  

Admitted to Fellowship of the Business Continuity Institute in 1998, he has lived and worked in many countries in Africa, Middle East and in the Asia/Pacific regions.  He is the Principal of 4Thought Associates Ltd. and still actively participates in the development of international business continuity management and standards.  As part of his commitment to the profession and to the BCI in particular, he is part of the BCI’s global panel of assessors for the award of Fellowship grades. 

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Being semi-retired I feel that this gives me an opportunity to assess and encourage the developments in the business continuity management industry and assess all candidates on their achievements.  Having worked globally I can utilise my experience and professional knowledge to assess each application on its’ merits and outcomes irrespective of where the application originates. 

Judging applications enables me to give back to a profession which has enabled me to experience all levels and sectors of business and industry.

James McAlister is the Director of Crisis Prepared Limited an organisational resilience consultancy. He is a former police officer with almost 40 years’ experience in Business Continuity, Crisis, Major Incident, Risk & Disaster Management, Counter Terrorism, Civil Protection, Security, Training and Exercising. He has advised, planned and led many operations, incidents and exercises throughout the UK and internationally including political party conferences, major sporting events, royal / ministerial visits, counter terrorism operations, public order events and environmental / man-made disasters. James was chosen by the UK Government to become a founding member of the European Union Civil Protection Programme and has deployed on international missions including as Deputy Team Leader to the Sichuan Earthquake in China and Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. He has a master’s degree and diplomas in Business Continuity Management & Education; is a qualified higher education teacher, assessor, coach and is a Business Continuity Institute Approved Instructor. James is an Honorary Fellow and former Chair of the Business Continuity Institute and a Fellow of the Institute for Civil Protection & Emergency Management.

Why do you want to become a judge?

I have had a fascinating and rewarding career in organisational resilience achieving most of my professional goals. I stepped down as Chair of the BCI a few years ago and was looking to continue my long tradition of volunteering. The role of Head Judge was always a role that I really coveted as I felt it suited my inner desire to help recognise and promote others excellence in the industry. The Head Judge title carries a huge responsibility for the BCI and the wider profession; a role I take very seriously and am totally commit to.

Your vision for the awards?

For many years the BCI Awards have been the most sought after awards in the organisational resilience industry. You only have to look back at the people and companies who have won awards to see how much they are internationally valued. However, the BCI is not an institute that rests on its laurels and as the profession constantly adapts to match its operating environment so must the awards. The review of the awards system took over nine months and involved a global volunteer committee who worked tirelessly to develop a fit for purpose awards programme. The innovative system comprises a tougher judge selection process including ongoing training, award criterion matched to the BCI’s Competency Framework, simplified assessment scoring matrix, commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and three new awards. I believe that the revitalised awards programme will take away the apprehension of applying for awards as the criterion is now much clearer and more focused.

Your approach to judging?

As a qualified assessor and former police officer my approach to award applications is purely evidence based. My advice to future applicants would be to look at the criterion and then write about what they have done that matches that criterion, the evidence will then speak for itself. If however, an entrant provides a beautifully written but generic narrative that isn’t timebound or explained then that evidence will now be discounted or downgraded. The new awards system is simple, transparent and above all provides a fairer and more equal chance of success for all applicants globally.  

Your commitment to the industry?

I hope my commitment to the industry is as clear as the new awards system. I have been involved in business continuity or the wider organisational resilience disciplines for almost forty years. I have worked in the public and private sectors in global and micro businesses. Following my retirement from the police in 2014 I set up my own consultancy providing a range of resilience services. I am a strong advocate of the BCI and have been a volunteer on many initiatives over the last fifteen years. I don't see me slowing down or losing my enthusiasm for business continuity any time soon as the profession is growing and evolving at such an amazing rate it excites me more each day.  

A seasoned leader in Business Continuity Management and Operational Resilience, Jiri has successfully implemented and driven risk mitigation strategies across EMEA, overseeing more than 50 facilities and 30,000 employees. With expertise in Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Crisis Management, Jiri has led the deployment of Business Continuity processes in many manufacturing facilities, ensuring organizational preparedness and resilience.

Passionate about proactive risk management, Jiri spearheads risk assessments, Business Impact Analyses, and the development of Business Continuity plans while fostering a culture of resilience. A key contributor to enterprise-wide risk initiatives, Jiri played a pivotal role in implementing an Enterprise Risk Management tool for operational business units.

Committed to training and preparedness, Jiri has delivered extensive scenario-based exercises, including tabletop, walkthrough, and live tests, to strengthen crisis response capabilities. With in-depth knowledge of international standards such as NFPA1600, ISO22301, IATF16949, and ISO22361, Jiri ensures compliance and operational excellence.

As a crisis manager, Jiri has led response efforts for 145 major incidents, navigating challenges such as cybersecurity threats, supply chain disruptions, pandemics, active assailiant and natural disasters. A strategic thinker and resilience advocate, Jiri is dedicated to safeguarding organizations against evolving risks.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Becoming an awards judge for a business continuity professional organization is an incredible opportunity to celebrate excellence, inspire innovation, and contribute to the growth of the field. I am deeply passionate about recognizing the hard work, dedication, and ingenuity of professionals who ensure resilience in the face of adversity. Serving as a judge is not just about selecting winners—it is about elevating the standards of our industry and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Furthermore it excites me to be part of a process that not only honors success but also inspires future leaders.

From Khaled: Bringing a wealth of expertise as a Senior Program Director, I hold esteemed certifications including PMP, PMI-RMP, PMI-ACP, and a member of MBCI. My dedication to advancing business continuity and resilience has been honed over 15 years within the demanding and dynamic landscape of Abu Dhabi’s government sector. My leadership is defined by a deep commitment to Agile principles, ensuring not only the continuity of operations but their evolution to meet and exceed the demands of a rapidly changing socio-technological environment. My role has encompassed a broad spectrum of responsibilities from risk assessment and crisis management to pioneering innovative disaster recovery strategies. I’ve championed the integration of cutting-edge practices and thought leadership in project management, contributing to robust and adaptable infrastructure systems. This extensive experience has instilled in me a passion for nurturing resilience through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and the development of best-in-class continuity frameworks.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

As someone deeply invested in the fields of business continuity and resilience, I viewed becoming a BCI Awards Judge as an opportunity to contribute to a community that values excellence and innovation. It’s an honour to support and recognize the professionals and organizations that are not only safeguarding their operations against disruptions but are also setting new standards in resilience. My goal as a judge is to help highlight best practices that can inspire the entire industry and drive it forward.

From Mahendra: I am an Indian Army veteran having served my country for 30 years. In addition, I have over 19 years of corporate experience in Crisis Management, Business Continuity, Risk Management, Disaster Recovery and Training. Preparing and validating ERPs and BCPs are my forte. Apart from various professional certifications, I am MSc in Defence Studies, MBA (PM), MBCI, Six Sigma Green Belt and Member of Leaders Excellence at Harvard Square.

As a Senior Director – Indian Subcontinent in S&P Global, I am responsible for Crisis Management, Business Continuity and Risk & Security Threat Assessments to identify risks to employees, critical business operations and define mitigating measures that result in improved resilience and increased risk appetite of the company. I periodically review, implement and maintain comprehensive and workable crisis management and business continuity plans for company’s Regional offices. I conduct regular training sessions and tabletop exercises for site incident management and business continuity teams. Such sessions have proved their efficacy during real time incidents ensuring safety and security of over 18000 employees in my region and continued business operations.

Having demonstrated my endurance to work long hours under pressure during real time incidents, commitment, dedication, adaptability and flexibility, I have developed strong professional relationships with business leaders, peers, subordinates and industry professionals.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I understand that role of a judge in any contest is pivotal, not only in determining the outcome, but also in lending credibility and maintaining prestige of the event and organisers. I am fair, impartial, rationale, logical, ethical, conscientious, and fearless. I am proactive and have sufficient practical knowledge of the industry and hands-on experience in managing real life crises and business continuity incidents. I am highly committed in delivering, on time, what is expected of me without any delay. I am confident, as an awards judge, I will stand up to the values and reputation of BCI

Matthias Rosenberg has been advising companies from a wide range of industries in the areas of business continuity management (BCM), IT service continuity management (ITSCM) and crisis management since 1999, supporting them with his expertise and broad specialist knowledge. However, his passion for BCM and crisis management goes far beyond his consultancy work. The experienced business administration graduate and board member of Controllit AG is also a sought-after trainer. He is a lecturer at the University of Public Administration (HfÖV) and trains experts at the BCM Academy, the leading European institute for training in these specialist areas. Matthias Rosenberg's career and his wide-ranging commitment to further training are proof of his high level of expertise in the field. His activities contribute significantly to preparing companies in the best possible way for the challenges in BCM, ITSCM and crisis management.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I'm honoured to be a judge at the BCI Awards and I am proud to be involved in selecting the best processes, projects and people and to recognise special achievements in this way.
Furthermore, I am aware of the responsibility that comes with being a judge and ensure that I maintain impartiality and transparency during the judging process. Through my participation as a jury member, I wish to contribute my expertise to ensure that deserving award winners are rightly honoured.

Ultimately, my desire to become a judge stems from a genuine passion for recognising and promoting excellence and I look forward to contributing my commitment to the judging panel.
 

Melanie Lucht has been in the risk and resilience industry for over 25 years, currently serving as the Vice President of Customer Success at Fusion Risk Management. Prior to joining Fusion in September 2024, Melanie was at Carnegie Mellon University for nearly 12 years, serving as the Associate Vice President and Chief Risk Officer.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I wanted to become an awards judge of the BCI as I have found the experience of being a judge highly insightful, educational, and motivating. Often, we resiliency professionals get caught up within our own industry or organization focusing solely on the resiliency needs of that space. However, there is a much larger landscape that has either demonstrated, exercised, or learned from new ideas, approaches or events that help to further this profession. Being a judge gives one a global vision of what is happening within this field, recognize those that are excelling and reward them for their achievements. 

From Michael: I started working in the resilience space in 1985 when I started working with Tandem (HP) NonStop systems supporting business critical systems. After many years as an analyst, programmer, instructor, performance specialist, systems manager and consultant I focused on business side of continuity and developed into a BCM specialist. Later I made the transition from Business and IT Continuity to Resilience and was the Global Resilience Officer for a large manufacturer. I’m currently Continuity Manager at a major bank.

I am also an enthusiastic and active volunteer for a number of organisations including: the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), International Standards Organization (ISO) and the Resilience Alliance. At the BCI I lead the Netherlands Chapter, am a former global board member, am an awards judge and have contributed to the BCI Good Practice Guide. At ISO I am involved in the development and reviews of standards related to BCM, Organizational Resilience and Crisis Management. At the resilience alliance I am involved in projects aimed at improving community resilience.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Since joining the Global Membership Committee (GMC) in 2015 I have been a judge for almost all of the regional and global awards. I have very much enjoyed the process of being a judge. It is always exciting to read about the great work that people are doing in our profession and to help see that the outstanding contributions are recognised.

While serving as BCI board member I had the privilege of presenting various awards. Talking to (past) recipients reinforced how much impact winning an award can have on their careers and lives. It is an honour to be part of this process.

From Mikaiiro: The early years of my professional journey consisted of software development, database management, and system management in logistics, energy, and financial sectors. While not a business continuity professional, the continuity of operations was always one of the main considerations.

I joined Finnish National Emergency Supply Agency in 2005 to be responsible for constructing datacentres for national preparedness purposes. During this period, I worked closely with several critical infrastructure operators to assist them in their business continuity challenges from the datacentre perspective.

Since 2018 I have been working as a consultant in KPMG Finland’s business continuity services practice, passed my CBCI certification in 2020 and became an MBCI shortly afterwards. With an excellent, diverse team I help a wide variety of clients to improve their capability to remain operational through systematic use of the business continuity lifecycle. I have added to our exercise toolkit by introducing a new type of an exercise based on the pre-mortem technique.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

The request for new awards judges was an opportunity for me to contribute to the pool of BCI community’s knowledge by recognising and promoting the innovations that have the potential to inspire current and future members, support professionals in their business continuity activities, and even shape the business continuity industry in the spirit of continuous improvement. From personal development perspective I felt that an awards judge would be a privileged position where I could promote great achievements of this awesome community and learn about new and innovative business continuity and resilience solutions in the process.

From Nalin: My involvement with Business Continuity and Business Resilience discipline goes back to 1999, when the Bank I was working assigned me to the Y2K compliance project. It was only then, I first came to know the terms such as ‘Business Impact Analysis’, ‘Prioritised Business Processes’ etc. I realised then, that business continuity as a management discipline would have a great demand, due to the volatility and uncertainty of the world. Later I became the head of business continuity in another bank, where I had the opportunity to implement the discipline from scratch and finally to receive the ISO accreditation.  

During my stay with KPMG New Zealand, I was fortunate to get the opportunity to apply my Business Continuity knowledge and the experience in various type of industries. I have received the BCI awards several times, once as the Business Continuity Manager of the year – BCI Asia Awards and Business Continuity Contributor of the Year -BCI APAC awards.  

Apart from my professional activity in Business Continuity, I initiated the BCI Forum of the UAE, with Lyndon Bird (BCI Technical Director) as the Chief Guest, I was also the BCI Auckland Forum chair before becoming a board member of BCI Australasia Chapter till 2018.  

I have contributed to many professional journals promoting Business Continuity. Similarly,  to other business disciplines where I hold a long standing recognition. Also, I am a regular speaker including being a keynote speaker at various professional or industry forums.  

Due to my professional competence in Information security, data privacy and risk management, in addition to Business Continuity Management, I have gained recognition and acceptance in the business community for the holistic approach to organisational resilience. Currently I am in the final stages of my book, “Weathering the storm – 8 easy steps to survive & thrive for the small business owner” 

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

• There are several reasons why I wanted to become a BCI Award judge’ They are; 
• It gives me a sense of satisfaction that my knowledge and expertise in Business Continuity has been recognised by my peers and the profession. 
• I will have to opportunity interact and network with other judges and share mutual thoughts, ideas and experiences, which I consider is priceless. 
• Being a judge is a critical and important professional role. I will be reviewing members submissions carefully and, in that process, there are opportunities to broaden my knowledge. 
• Being a BCI Award judge will enhance my overall profile and public recognition, as a mature recognised business continuity professional. From the view of my clients, it will be a positive factor.  
• Finally, it is great opportunity for me to serve the BCI as a volunteer again, this time as an awards judge! 

Neil has 22 years’ experience in business continuity, emergency preparedness and incident response.  First coming into the profession when working in the private sector (banking, insurance and retail) back in 2001 as a junior in an expanding Business Continuity team eventually becoming Head of Business Continuity.  During this time he responded to and supported the business in incidents such as the BT tunnel fire in Manchester, London 7/7 attacks and riots in Manchester in 2011.     For the last 12 years he has worked in the NHS as the Head of Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR) across four trusts covering acutes, urgent care, community and mental health services.  This period has seen responses to wide-scale cyber-attack (Wannacry), significant fire at an in-patient unit, extensive IT outages, industrial action and the NHS’s response to Covid-19 pandemic.   He is a member of the Business Continuity Institute (The BCI) and an Associate Member of the Emergency Planning Society.  He also chairs a national NHSE Emergency Preparedness Group – The National Performance Advisory Group (NPAG) on EPRR.  Additionally, Neil has the Diploma in Health Emergency Preparedness from Loughborough University. Out of work time he loves going to concerts, watching football and being out walking.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I have been fortunate to attend the BCI World event on several occasions and being able to be part of the judging panel is a great way of giving something back to the BCI for all the years I have been a member and the BCI has supported me.  I hope that my years of experience will ensure I bring good judgement to the process and will also let me see all the great submissions I am sure we will receive across the award categories.  I’m also sure it will help me to continue to grow in my chosen career

A seasoned industry recognised expert, heavy delivery experience in Resilience, BCM & Crisis, Emergency Management, Security Risk Management, Enterprise Risk Management, Disaster Recovery, Operational Risk Management, Compliance, Facility, Vendor, and Supply Chain Management, Quality Health and Safety. Nick seamlessly applies standards, and best practices to organization ensuring the global, regions staff, and critical systems, facilities, and processes across all countries are protected against threats and any potential disruptive events. 

Handling large scale incidents, managing mass displacement and relocation of people, processes, infrastructure, Docklands bombing, 911 WTC, Mumbai, Sri Lanka, AU flooding’s, NZ quakes to Beijing, London Olympic Emergency Response Planning/plans for extraction to Fukushima where Nick was deployed for 8 weeks working with the Japanese government and Pentagon on various activities, Hong Kong SARS, & Hong Kong Umbrella Movement, COVID, and FIFA World Cup Emergency Response Plans. Counterterrorism training. Industry exercises such as the: Singapore Island Wide Exercise (IWE) where he was selected as the Red Cell Facilitator. Is certified as a Fellow, Professional, Member, Expert, board member. Crisis manager of the year (Jpn), Business Continuity  Crisis Manager of the year (BoA).

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I wanted to become a judge to help celebrate talent, innovation, and dedication while ensuring an inclusive and equitable assessment process that uplifts diverse voices. With 26 years of global experience in business continuity and crisis management, I bring strong analytical skills, a deep appreciation for diversity, and a commitment to fairness. My ability to evaluate varying perspectives allows me to make balanced, informed decisions. I am passionate about recognizing excellence, fostering transparency, and ensuring a rigorous yet ethical selection process. This role is both a responsibility and an opportunity to inspire and create a lasting positive impact.

From Olivia: I initially started in the sector developing operational business continuity and incident response plans and testing these via exercising as part of a role around eight years ago. This led me to moving internally into a well organised and dedicated business continuity team at DWP. Initially focussing on incident, crisis management and emergency response, I soon expanded to supporting the development of an auditing/assurance process and then travelled around the UK assuring site BCP’s and supported site SRO’s with advice and guidance.  

As part of my career development, I supported the Analysis & Design team helping business areas undertake BIA’s and led the development of an IM Training & Learning Hub as well as supported/coached the wider team on Incident & Crisis Management which I absolutely loved. 

This invaluable experience gave me the confidence to apply for a promotion with the Department of Health and Social Care where I’ve undertaken a few roles including the Business Continuity Lead gaining a wealth of experience eg supporting development of a new BC & Resilience Policy, leading/supporting business areas develop and refine BCP’s, project managing and delivering a range of BCAW activities as well as conducting deep dives, presenting to Boards, developing and refining Strategic Plans etc. 

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Firstly, I’m thrilled and excited to have been chosen as a BCI Awards Judge. I chose to apply and undertake this rewarding and fulfilling opportunity for a number of reasons: 

• To give back to the industry that has provided me with purpose and direction in my career. 

• To recognise and celebrate the accomplishments of fellow Business Continuity colleagues. 

• To reward outstanding achievements, providing a sense of validation and motivation for the winners and the wider BC community. 

• Develop my personal and professional skills toward my goals and achievements in this industry and in life. 

Paul Breed is a senior crisis management leader with over 30 years’ emergency, crisis and organizational resilience experience at strategic, tactical and operational levels including collaboration and mutual aid activations to support major incidents at a local, regional and national level. 

Key strengths include the development, implementation and validation of emergency management and business continuity in line with ISO 22301, together with the development of integrated resilience strategies for large high risk, low frequency operations and projects, with both public and private sector organizations.  

A proven track record of performance management whilst leading a large geographically dispersed work force, adept in change and budget management. Complemented by Masters’ level academia and professional qualifications in Business Continuity, Emergency Management and Security. Experience of working in UK, Canada, and UAE.  

Since 2017, Paul has been a University lecturer, researcher, course designer and course leader for the delivery of the Diploma in Business Continuity and BCI Certificate CBCI online course, together with contributing to the BCI Good Practice Guidelines, 2018 edition, whilst also regularly presenting at the BCI World Conferences. 

His passion is to promote business continuity and resilience, to become mainstream within organizations irrespective of size, nature and complexities (public or private) so that they are best prepared to deal with disruptions through resilient individuals, organizations and communities. 

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Having worked in a variety of high-profile roles in various global locations, this has provided exposure as a subject matter individual for resilience and business continuity by applying theory to an operational environment to meet strategic objectives.  

Collectively this broad exposure to academic, operational, professional and subject matter knowledge provides an opportunity to give back to the business continuity and resilience community. This experience provides a triangulation of knowledge and skills to meet the privileged requirements of a diverse and inclusive judging panel, that recognizes the hard work of those involved in promoting business continuity and resilience. 

From Precious: I am an experienced BCM professional who is currently a Member of BCI and the Chief Risk Officer of a semi-autonomous Government entity. I have over eighteen years of experience leading business continuity initiatives in both public and private sectors. This has provided me with good experience in embedding an effective culture that integrates BCM and risk management practises towards building a resilient organization. I have developed BCM Frameworks, policies, and Programmes in the various organizations I have worked for and led different teams in the implementation of same from initiation stage. 
I have also led various teams in testing and improving their Business Continuity Plans and successfully coordinated, at the tactical level, the recovery of critical processes during disruptive events. Recently, I have successfully developed and automated the BCM training modules, an achievement that will go a long way in capacitating the various teams in the organization more efficiently and effectively.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I am very passionate about BCM. Recent developments regarding climate and environmental risks have elevated the need to have experienced BCM professionals who will advise and lead organizations in the preparation of effective responses. With the experience I have, I see myself playing a significant role in advocating for this profession and mentoring other upcoming professionals in the field. It is a great privilege to serve as the BCI Awards Judge as this gives me an opportunity to contribute to the success of the BCI Awards as part of my giving back to the Community whilst growing my network internationally.

From Rajesh: My experience to business continuity and resilience commenced post putting in a glorious coloured service with the armed forces and transitioning to the corporate world in 2006. Having worked at the hospitality sector, airports, telecom, consulting and with an IT/ ITeS and handling Corporate Security, business continuity, resilience and crisis management have become ingrained in my DNA. Within all these sectors that I have worked in, I have been instrumental right from developing teams, doing adequate groundwork, inculcating a spirit of learning and development, improving the capacity utilisation, and protecting the bottom lines of the organisations by putting in place appropriate business continuity and resilience strategies. In fact, I was one of the few Lead Implementors and Lead Auditors for ISO 22301 when it was first introduced in 2012. This speaks of my passion  towards business continuity and resilience and my eagerness to assist organisations keep up with challenges. A short stint in consulting assisted me offering business continuity and resilience services to varied industries and newly incubated start-ups. Further, reinforced by an association with BCI and becoming a qualified MBCI, I could manage me to assist my current organisation shaping up and develop robust business continuity and resilience practices.  

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

The first reason for becoming an awards judge is the global scale of BCI, or the International aspect of awards judging. It is something that intrigues me and motivates to be part of the judging committee. The second important reason; judging multiple categories, professionals, and organisations - the opportunity to evaluate their initiatives that they present so proudly. There is immense knowledge I acquire in the process, too, applaud great initiatives and carry back best practices to the market. It is also a medium to being curious and exercising your logical methodology, gathering, and evaluating results with un-biased transparency.

From Raouf: With over a decade of dedicated service in the business continuity and resilience industry, my expertise spans a wide spectrum of roles and responsibilities. As a distinguished member of the Business Continuity Institute (MBCI) and a Certified Business Continuity Instructor (CBCI), I bring extensive knowledge and practical experience to the table. My proficiency as a PECB ISO 22301 Senior Lead Implementer and Instructor has enabled me to successfully spearhead more than 50 business continuity management system (BCMS) projects across diverse sectors worldwide.

Throughout my career, I have collaborated with government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and energy companies, among others, addressing their unique challenges and requirements in achieving resilience. With a track record of delivering over 10,000 hours of training in business continuity and crisis management, I have empowered hundreds of professionals with essential skills and knowledge to navigate disruptions effectively.

My contributions extend beyond training, as evidenced by my pivotal roles in guiding organizations ISO 22301 certifications. Recognized as the best Business Continuity professional in Africa for consecutive years, and nominated for global awards, I remain committed to advancing the field and fostering resilience in today's dynamic business environment.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Becoming a BCI Awards Judge aligns closely with my passion for advancing excellence and innovation in the business continuity and resilience industry. Having dedicated my career to this field, I understand the significance of recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions. As a judge, I have the opportunity to evaluate submissions from diverse professionals and organizations, gaining valuable insights into emerging trends, best practices, and innovative approaches.

Moreover, serving as a judge allows me to give back to the community by leveraging my expertise to support and encourage practitioners striving for excellence. By assessing entries against rigorous criteria, I can help elevate standards within the industry and inspire others to excel in their endeavours. 

Rosehanna is a Senior Director in the UK Civil Service.  She has advised Prime Ministers, Secretaries of State and boards on risk and resilience. Rosehanna has successfully led teams in national emergencies through to department wide change transformation programmes implementing robust risk and continuity of operation systems. She has held senior roles in the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government, Cabinet Office, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Rosehanna is an Emeritus Governor at the London School of Economics (LSE). She co-founded and chaired the Global LSE Government and Public Policy Alumni Group. Rosehanna has an LLB and LLM from LSE and a Policy Fellowship from the University of Cambridge where she also sits on the Fellowship assessment panel. Rosehanna is a member of the advisory board for the international publication, The Crisis Response Journal. She is a Fellow of the Business Continuity Institute and the Institute of Strategic Risk Management.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

With a deep commitment to advancing the fields of business continuity and resilience, I am eager to contribute to the recognition of excellence within our industry. My extensive experience in government across a number of sectors has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and innovations in our field. I am passionate about identifying and celebrating outstanding achievements that drive the profession forward. Participating as a judge offers an opportunity to give back to the community, promote best practices, and support the next generation of resilience professionals.

From Sadagopan: With 42 years of experience, including over two decades focused on implementing, training, and auditing Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS), I bring deep industry expertise to this role. My career began with the development and implementation of BS 25999, and I have since guided organizations in building resilient, compliant BCMS to ensure effective preparedness and recovery across diverse sectors. With experience as a Gold Assessor in the Tata Business Excellence Model (TBEM) and as an auditor, I bring expertise in auditing, assessments, handling appeals, problem-solving, and collaboration. In addition to my role as an auditor and trainer, I have extensive experience reviewing audit reports for certification decisions, honing my ability to evaluate excellence and the impact of business continuity practices. My work has involved advising organizations to achieve and maintain top-tier BCMS, ensuring alignment with global standards and resilience best practices. As a Technical Reviewer at BSI, I am committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the industry. I promote inclusive environments where varied perspectives enhance resilience planning, and I work to recognize and celebrate exceptional achievements in the field. I strive to share best practices, raise industry standards, and continue to drive continuous improvement in business continuity and resilience. My comprehensive background in this field allows me to bring valuable insight and expertise to any business continuity initiative.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I’m excited to serve as an awards judge because recognition is a powerful tool that fosters personal and professional growth, strengthens relationships, and creates a positive and inclusive culture. It enhances mental well-being, builds self-esteem, and celebrates excellence, innovation, and diversity. With my background as a Lead Auditor, Technical Reviewer, in environments that prioritize collaboration and diversity, I approach submissions with an objective and inclusive mindset. I evaluate each case based on evidence, recognizing the distinct experiences and perspectives that shape the work presented. I assess both the technical aspects and broader community impact, ensuring that innovation and accessibility are equally valued. I believe equality means treating individuals fairly while considering their unique backgrounds and challenges, helping ensure every voice is heard and celebrated through the awards process. Furthermore, I believe being a good judge means not only evaluating submissions but also promoting continuous improvement and business excellence. I am committed to supporting participants' growth through constructive feedback and transparency.

With over a decade of experience in the Business Continuity and Resilience industry, I have dedicated my career to advancing my expertise in this critical field. After obtaining my CBCI qualification in 2019, I continued my professional development by achieving both AMBCI and MBCI certifications. Also my role as a BC Approved Teacher enabled me to run CBCI training courses and empowered colleagues to enhance their qualifications to AMBCI and MBCI levels.

As a Business Continuity Consultant at a large organization, I supported approx 60 plan owners, their backups, and approvers in developing robust, actionable, and purpose-fit business continuity plans. My experience includes incident management support, conducting BC client audits, and leading quarterly Plan Owner forums to foster collaboration and continuous improvement.

I was passionate about cultivating a strong business continuity culture and actively participated in Business Continuity Awareness Week (BCAW) each year. My commitment to the field is further demonstrated through my published article BCAW 2022 Blog Competition: 'How are you embedding BCI for the BCI, which provides insights into effective practices and innovations in business continuity. Through my work, I strive to enhance organizational resilience and ensure preparedness in the face of unforeseen challenges.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I want to be a BCI Awards Judge because I am passionate about Business Continuity and eager to discover this passion in others. With my extensive experience and insights, I can bring a fresh perspective to the judging process. I believe my commitment to excellence makes me an ideal candidate to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in the field. Additionally, I now have the time to expand my involvement in Business Continuity, and judging the BCI Awards allows me to promote diversity while leveraging my professional knowledge and experience to contribute meaningfully to the community.

Simon Contini is the Global Field CTO of Dell Technologies' Global Consulting Practice, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He specializes in embedding cyber and business resilience strategies and manages multi-million-dollar global resilience consulting services. Simon's expertise spans the entire service lifecycle, focusing on business continuity, cyber recovery and cyber resilience to minimize downtime and lost revenue. He leverages Artificial Intelligence and Automation to optimize resilience.

In his global role, Simon provides consultative and technical delivery leadership, using a design optimization methodology that addresses people, tools, and processes. This approach helps customers achieve measurable, sustainable business outcomes faster. He collaborates with industry analysts, business and cyber resilience leaders, customers, and academia to stay informed about industry trends.

Simon emphasizes building trusted relationships through face-to-face interactions, ensuring stakeholders achieve their business outcomes. With extensive experience in strategy, governance, policy, and solutions for complex business problems, he has deep expertise in business continuity, cyber recovery, cyber resilience, IT continuity, and risk assessments.

Since joining Dell Technologies in 2013, Simon has brought a wealth of real-world industry experience across various sectors. He holds prestigious grades FBCI and MCBP and is a member of the Order of the Sword & Shield National Honor Society.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Becoming a Business Continuity Awards Judge allows me to leverage my extensive expertise in business continuity and resilience to recognize and promote excellence in the field. My deep understanding of business challenges and their solutions problems positions me well to evaluate and reward innovative and effective practices.

Additionally, serving as a judge provides an opportunity to stay at the forefront of industry trends and developments, further enhancing my knowledge and network. It also allows me to contribute to the growth and improvement of the business continuity community.

This role aligns my commitment in helping organizations achieve sustainable, resilient business outcomes.

Sanjay is a seasoned leader in Business Continuity and Resilience, with more than two decades of experience in global IT services organizations. As the Global Head for Business Continuity and Resilience at LTIMindtree, he has successfully implemented a comprehensive Business Continuity program and achieved ISO 22301 certification globally.

Prior to this, Sanjay held key leadership roles in Cognizant and TCS, driving business continuity and resilience for large delivery units. His expertise has been instrumental in managing critical events such as the Chennai Floods, Global Pandemic, and Ransomware incidents, earning him multiple accolades, including the prestigious Global Business Continuity Resilience Manager of the Year 2023 award by CIR Magazine, UK.

Beyond operational excellence, Sanjay is a strong advocate for talent development and stakeholder engagement, fostering a culture of resilience and accountability across organizations. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement, ensuring strategic alignment and a high-performance culture. He has worked extensively with cross-functional teams to embed BCM principles into the organizational DNA, safeguarding operations, reputation, and stakeholder interests through meticulous planning and execution.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

Serving as a BCI Awards Judge for the second consecutive year reflects my commitment to recognizing excellence, contributing to the industry's advancement, and staying at the forefront of innovative BCM practices. This role allows me to connect with global experts, celebrate outstanding achievements, and inspire professionals to elevate their resilience efforts. By leveraging my experience, I aim to foster collaboration, drive thought leadership and make a meaningful impact on the business continuity profession—fulfilling a personal passion for promoting excellence in resilience.

From Stella: My name is Stella Makona Simiyu, and I am a Risk Management professional with over 15 years of experience, specializing in Enterprise Risk Management and Business Continuity. In 2011, I joined the BCI and earned my MBCI designation, further solidifying my expertise. In 2014, I founded my own risk management consulting firm, helping companies across East Africa implement robust business continuity management frameworks. I am passionate about creating better-run companies in Africa that are more resilient and have a higher chance of long-term survival through proactive risk management. As an ISO 22301 Lead Implementer and Lead Auditor, I bring a deep understanding of international standards to my work, guiding clients in developing plans that have enabled them to recover quickly from unexpected disruptions. As a trainer and consultant, I work with organizations of all sizes, building their capacity in risk and resilience. I also serve as the chapter chair for the Business Continuity Eastern Africa chapter, fostering a community of practice in the region.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I was drawn to the opportunity to be a BCI Awards judge because it is an incredible opportunity to learn from the innovative and impactful work being done by my peers around the world. I believe that recognizing and sharing best practices is essential for the advancement of our profession. My experience across diverse sectors and my commitment to fostering a strong BC community, through my role as chair of the Business Continuity Eastern Africa chapter, will allow me to bring a valuable perspective to the judging process.

From Stephen: My initial experience with Business Continuity involved establishing the first Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) whilst working for a department within my local authority. Finding this new challenge both engaging and rewarding, I was eager to explore subsequent opportunities.

I then transitioned to the Council’s Emergency Planning Team, where I led the organisation's internal Business Continuity efforts and launched the Liverpool Business Continuity Management Forum (LBCMF), offering free advice and support to local businesses as part of the Council’s responsibility under the Civil Contingencies Act.

In 2011, I was honoured to be shortlisted as Public Sector Business Continuity Manager of the Year at the CIR Awards in London, though I did not win the award.

I left the Council in February 2012 to join Biscon Planning Ltd as a Business Continuity Consultant and later advanced to the position of Director. My role at Biscon has allowed me to work with a diverse range of clients, supporting them in initiating, enhancing, training, and exercising their BCMS programs. This includes policy management, conducting business impact analyses, developing plans, training teams, and testing these plans through exercises.

Additionally, I have assisted several clients in achieving and maintaining their ISO22301 certification.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

Becoming a judge for the 2025 Business Continuity Awards presents a unique opportunity for me to influence industry standards, recognise excellence, and expand my professional network.

I aim to gain insights into innovative resilience strategies, enhance my personal credibility, and contribute to the advancement of business continuity practices. Judging will enable me to connect with leading professionals and demonstrate my expertise on a prestigious platform.

I believe this role will allow me to give back to the industry while bolstering my own reputation. Additionally, I intend to leverage this experience to support my application from MBCI membership to FBCI.

Todd Ray is President of RMANAGING Consulting LLC and a Business Resilience and Continuity professional with over 25 years of strategic and operational experience in Enterprise Risk Management, Crisis Management, Disaster Recovery, and Emergency Response. 

Todd specializes in creating and managing complete Business Continuity Management Systems and I.T. Service Continuity Programs for highly regulated industries such as Pharmaceutical and Financial Services. In addition, he is an active member of InfraGard and a Certified Critical Infrastructure Liaison Office for the U.S. Government. 

Todd has held positions of escalating responsibility working for various international organizations, and served as a Non-Commission Officer in the U.S. Air Force. He oversaw U.S. and Air Force Space Command C3 (Command, Control & Communications) teams 

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

As a judge, it is crucial to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly and impartially, without bias toward their background, ethnicity, gender, or other personal characteristics.  

One of the essential aspects of being a judge is having an inclusive mindset and recognizing the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the awards selection process.  

Embracing Diversity and inclusion means that the panel will be able to consider a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, leading to a more well-rounded and representative selection process. 

Virag is a seasoned leader in Business Continuity with over two decades of experience in the field of risk and resilience. As the Global Head for Business Continuity at Hitachi Digital, he successfully implemented the Business Continuity Management program over the last 11 years globally. The BCM program is aligned with ISO22301 standards including one of the key business functions certified under ISO 22301 standards.

Virag believes in continuous improvement and is an avid believer of practical or realistic business continuity and crisis management practices that can be followed in real life incidents or business continuity events. Virag manages a small professional team that prides itself in furthering the goals of the Business Continuity Management program that leads to long term sustainability of the organization. The team strongly believes in Corporate Preparedness that involves regular drills, training and exercises that involve training executives and leaders across the organization in Business Continuity and Crisis Management.

Virag believes in sharing knowledge with fellow professionals and has spoken at different industry events in the US & UK. He holds an MBA from Strathclyde Business School and MBCI, CIA, CISA, CRMA and F.ISRM certifications. He lives in London and practices Vipassana meditation.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge? 

I believe serving as a judge would allow me to celebrate and recognize the exceptional efforts of those who go above and beyond to protect businesses, employees, and stakeholders. I am excited at this opportunity to engage with pioneering practices and initiatives that push the boundaries of what is possible in business continuity. By recognizing and celebrating the achievements of those who excel in this field, I believe we can raise awareness, drive progress, and inspire future generations to prioritize preparedness and adaptability.

Thembumenzi, MBCI, is a seasoned risk management and business continuity professional with 10 years of experience. He is an active leader in risk management and resilience, serving as a committee member of the South African Institute of Risk Management – Eswatini Chapter and the Southern Africa Chapter of the Business Continuity Institute. His involvement in these institutions allows him to contribute to advancing best practices in BCM and risk management. Thembumenzi is passionate about continuous learning and innovation in the field, having led several BCI webinars.

Thembumenzi’s career spans multiple sectors, including capital markets, banking, revenue administration, and the energy industry. He has successfully led initiatives in business continuity, including developing and maintaining annual BCM programs, conducting Business Impact Analyses (BIA), and aligning business and ICT continuity plans. He works closely with stakeholders to design recovery strategies, crisis management plans, and conduct scenario exercises to test BCM effectiveness. Additionally, he has experience in the design and implementation of BCM maturity assessments.

Thembumenzi holds a Master of Management in Finance and Investment and a Bachelor of Economic Science from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

As an active committee member of the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), I am deeply committed to advancing the field of business continuity and resilience. Becoming a BCI Awards Judge provides an opportunity to contribute to recognizing outstanding achievements in BCM and resilience. It allows me to share my expertise, evaluate innovative solutions, and learn from the best practices across industries. I am passionate about promoting excellence in BCM and I am honoured to support the BCI in identifying and celebrating leaders who are shaping the future of business resilience.

Vignesh Karthic serves as the APAC Regional Head for Business Continuity and Senior Vice President in Global Business Continuity and Recovery Services group within Corporate Risk Management based in Bangalore, India. In his current role, Vignesh is responsible for providing business continuity, disaster recovery and incident management expertise to all the business units and locations within the Asia Pacific region. He manages a team that provides risk oversight to the governance of business continuity planning as well as implementation, documentation, and testing of all plans throughout the region so that practices are in line with local regulations. Vignesh has held a variety of consulting, audit, risk management and technical leadership positions in his earlier career assignments. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Vignesh held the various management and client servicing roles in Fidelity Investments, Deloitte and Sify Technologies, where he had leadership responsibilities for the development and implementation of various risk management initiatives. Vignesh had led cross cultural project teams for large implementations of Business Continuity projects for the multi-national clients across the South East Asian region, North America and Asia Pacific regions in the Banking, Financial Services, Insurance & Software Services sector. He has presented in various international conferences and forums on the Business Continuity and Risk Domain. His articles had featured in the Continuity Central, Continuity Journal of the Business Continuity Institute and other media. Vignesh is a Fellow of the Business Continuity Institute, U.K; a Certified Business Continuity Professional from Disaster Recovery Institute , U.S.A. ; and a Certified Fraud Examiner from Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, U.S.A.

Why did you want to become a BCI Awards Judge?

I strongly believe that my credentials as a Fellow of the BCI, decades of experience and expertise gained in the financial services industry, consulting and audit background and an earnest desire to recognise the diverse and inclusive talent to build this profession to even greater heights.

I believe in acting with integrity without any bias and to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in a professional manner and evaluate all applications as per the guidelines set by the BCI.  I shall strive to uphold the values of the BCI and help assess the deserving candidates for the awards so that it can inspire other emerging professionals to further contribute to this profession.

As a senior management executive within my organisation having Asia-Pacific regional leadership responsibilities involving more than 9 countries where my organisation has a business presence (Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea) I do appreciate the different nuances within the region from a cultural and work perspective and can add value to the overall discussions.