CLIENT'S CHALLENGE
Following the amalgamation with Participate Australia (PA), SydWest encountered multiple challenges that were individually distinct yet interconnected:
Cultural Integration and Retention
Merging organisational cultures while retaining high-performing staff.
Financial Sustainability
Adapting to changing funding models in a difficult economic climate.
Service Expansion
Managing expanded disability services across a broader geographical footprint.
Governance Alignment
Adjusting Board composition and leadership responsibilities post-merger.
Regulatory Compliance
Preparing for sector audits and maintaining community reputation.
SydWest required a tailored, flexible risk management framework that would:
- Establish better practice risk management practices from the outset, including adopting existing arrangements that were sound.
- Establish and align the Risk Appetite Statement (RAS) with strategic priorities.
- Guide and support operational integration post-merger.
- Enable risk-informed decision-making at all levels, through clarifying roles and responsibilities across the merged organisations.
OUR APPROACH
Metropolis Advisory applied a person-centred approach, combining pragmatism and rigour to respectively facilitate meaningful conversations. Working closely with the CEO and Leadership Team, we developed a tailored and pragmatic strategy focused on:
Risk Management Framework (RMF) Development
- Reviewed existing RMF documents for alignment with ISO 31000 (2018) guidelines.
- Refreshed risk criteria (likelihood, consequence, and rating tables) to align with SydWest’s revised objectives.
- Integrated risk monitoring and escalation protocols aligned with operational priorities.
Refreshing the Risk Appetite Statement (RAS)
- Conducted one-on-one interviews with Board members and executives to understand risk preferences.
- Delivered a workshop to facilitate collective agreement on the updated RAS.
- ‘Road-tested’ the RAS with operational staff using real-life scenarios to ensure contextual relevance.
Strategic Risk Profile Review
- Leveraged previous strategic risk profiles while incorporating risks related to the PA merger.
- Conducted deep dives with the Board and leadership on new and evolving strategic risks.
- Developed a prioritised strategic risk register, aligned with organisational growth objectives.
- Facilitated opportunities for the Board and Leadership Team to collaborate, challenge and make adjustments to SydWest’s risk profile.
Key Risk Indicators (KRIs) and Compliance Integration
- Developed KRIs linked to SydWest’s strategic objectives and risk appetite.
- Designed simple, integrated KRI dashboards for leadership and Board reporting.
- Streamlined delegations of authority, ensuring operational efficiency and effective oversight.
Change Readiness Assessment
- Assessed staff risk management competency levels post-merger.
- Developed a 12-24 month action plan for rolling out the updated RMF, addressing capability gaps through regular awareness sessions, training and communication.
- Provided change management support to ensure smooth transition to new ways of working.
FROM OUR CLIENT
“Metropolis Advisory’s tailored approach to risk management provided more than a framework—it offered a pathway to sustainable growth, guidance for improved risk conversations and for our people to align and build trust.
Our teams now feel empowered to navigate uncertainties, and we continue to deliver trusted services to our community.”
CEO, SydWest Multicultural Services
VALUE-ADDS & CLIENT OUTCOMES
By adopting a tailored risk management approach, SydWest achieved:
Targeted Risk Management
Focus on critical risks and key controls that could impact strategic objectives.
Operational Integration
Risk management practices embedded into daily decision-making processes.
Enhanced Board Confidence
Clear visibility of strategic risks and assurance over management practices.
Improved Financial Resilience
Supported financial sustainability by aligning risk appetite with growth ambitions.
Cultural Cohesion
Retained high-performing staff and maintained organisational reputation in the community.
At Metropolis Advisory, we believe that no two organisations are the same—and their risk frameworks shouldn’t be either.
Tailored, contextualised risk frameworks empower organisations to:
- Navigate complexity with confidence.
- Build resilience to thrive through disruption.
- Seize opportunities for innovation and growth.
