Your expert guide to building a risk-ready culture that powers sustainable growth
The truth about risk management
When it comes to your job, let’s address the elephant in the room. Nobody else you are working with wakes up with a burning desire to “manage risk”. What they actually want is to succeed; to achieve goals and strategies with confidence, and whether they perceive risk management as helping or hindering their efforts is really down to you.
But risk teams are often small or non-existent, and the expectations keep growing.
That’s where I come in.
As someone with 20 years of expertise in governance, risk, and compliance, including serving as Head of Risk & Governance in high growth industries, I've helped organisations navigate deeply complex challenges.
From fintech to the Chair of the Risk and Technology Committee of the Governance Institute, my journey to becoming a consultant has given me a unique perspective on the industry and a deep understanding of the challenges that businesses face.
What sets me apart
I have built risk functions from the inside, not just advised on them from the outside. The difference matters.
My background spans risk, compliance, and governance leadership — including company secretaryship and board-level governance roles. That means I understand how risk looks from the boardroom, not just how it is presented to it.
But what truly sets me apart is my realisation that the human element of risk is the most critical aspect of effective risk management.
By aligning your risk approach with your organisation’s size, stage, goals, culture and ways of working, it becomes part of how things are done, rather than something people work around.
Having a solid foundation creates a pathway for confident growth.
My story
From listed companies to Fintech
and Startups
I began my career in corporate governance and company secretaryship with a listed company. Soon after, I moved into the technology and payments space, and then started leading risk management, compliance and governance across BPAY Group, its JVs and its startup businesses.
In my work, I've tackled a wide range of challenges, from regulatory compliance to cyber risk, and from crisis management to reputational risks. But no matter the issue at hand, I've always been guided by a simple principle: by engaging with people to help them understand the “why” it’s possible to make the “how” both engaging and frictionless.
What happened next
After a successful career leading risk and governance in-house, I decided to start my own consulting business.
I wanted to bring my unique approach to risk management to a wider audience, and to help businesses of all sizes develop a more holistic approach to risk management.
For me, it's not just about process, it's about building a culture of risk awareness and supporting sustainable growth.
I now work independently and in collaboration with trusted partners when additional delivery capability is needed. Since establishing the practice, I have worked with organisations across financial services, not-for-profits, education and government, helping leadership teams embed practical risk management that works in the real world.
The moment that changed everything
My natural instinct has always been to engage with people and promote the cause, even when tackling technical complexity.
But when I faced the challenge of leading risk in an innovation culture, encouraging people to take risks while being less controlling and more empowered, I knew that awareness and motivation were key. And when people all across the business started being proactive in managing risk, instead of me having to bang down their door to get engagement, I understood that success lies in realising that risk is really about people.
In their words
Trusted Advisor to Boards and Chairs
“Francesca was Company Secretary and Head of Risk for the BPAY Group of companies while I was a director from 2017-2022, including 12 months as Group Chair. Francesca is a very skilled risk leader with extensive experience in developing and implementing successful risk management policies. She led the Board’s work on developing the risk appetite, provided reporting and comprehensive documentation for Risk Committee meetings and advised the board on risk matters. As Company Secretary, she very effectively advised and supported me as Chair and provided guidance to the board. I highly recommend Francesca as an experienced risk, compliance and corporate governance executive.”
-Lynda McMillan, former Board Chair, BPAY Group
The Expert They Return To
“I come back to you so many times each year because I know you will steer the conversation beautifully and on point”.
-Anji Kurian, Expert in Major Events Programming, Design & Delivery
“I really enjoyed your laid-back confidence. You command a room when you speak!”
-Audience Member, Governance Institute Annual Governance and Risk Forum
Ready to build a human-centred, growth-focused risk culture across your organisation?
Let’s discuss how I can help your company manage risk while supporting your growth goals.
Ready to Learn More?
Start with The Risk Edge
For business and risk leaders who refuse to fall behind, The Risk Edge delivers monthly insights and practical guidance to make risk work for your business, not against it.
What lands in your inbox:
The Edge Insight: Strategic analysis of the risk developments that matter most.
The Industry Edge: Regulatory changes, industry trends, and compliance deadlines.
The Practical Edge: Tools and frameworks you can put to work immediately.
The Francesca Edge: General updates and learnings straight from the source.
You'll be two steps ahead while others are still printing the framework.
In the media
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It pays to be bold. Finding the balance between quick-moving growth and robust risk management
News | Strategic Risk Asia Pacific
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Prepare your business to enter - and survive - the polycrisis
Australian Financial Review
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Embrace innovation, but keep an eye on risk
StrategicRisk Knowledge Live
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Risk appetite: the "tone from the top" matters
StrategicRisk Australian Edition
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Companies don't peer too far into the future
StrategicRisk Australian Edition
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Australian risk manager rate their prime concerns
News | Strategic Risk Asia Pacific