Risk management
Unica constantly focuses its attention on systematically recognising opportunities and responding to risks, in good time. Our aim is to seize opportunities to mitigate and avoid risks by precisely identifying where the greatest risks lie and taking appropriate measures to reduce them. We carefully balance the financial performance against the scale of the risks.
In the table below, we have classified the risks in five categories to which have assigned the appropriate degree of risk appetite.
Category | Risk appetite | Description |
Strategic | Average | Unica is willing to accept risks to fulfil its ambitions. During the assessment of risks, there is always a balance between commercial opportunities and long-term environmental, social and economic risks. |
Operational | Low | During the implementation of its operational activities, Unica limits the risks to the continuity of business operations and the quality of work for its customers. |
Zero | Safety is subject to a zero tolerance policy, according to which risks are never taken that could endanger the safety of employees, customers or work. | |
Financial | Low | Unica enjoys a solid financial foundation, with a good balance between equity and loan capital. Financial project risks are avoided through careful financial project management. |
Digital | Low | With the help of technical, organisational and policy-based measures, Unica limits the digital risks associated with the digital transformation of its own organisation and the digitalisation of the external environment. |
Compliance | Zero | Unica applies the highest standards of integrity, complies with all relevant legislation and regulations and ensures that these standards are observed within all companies. |
Integrated risk management and security are becoming increasingly important at Unica, as we grow as a business, service different types of customer and expand our services. In 2022, a new position was created within the Executive Committee for the director QHSE, Security & Risk, who is responsible for execution of the enterprise risk management (ERM) policy and its implementation within our companies.
As the size of orders accepted by Unica grows, so too do the potential risks. To improve decision making in respect of tenders, the progress of specific orders and investments, the Tender, Project/contract review and Investment Board (TPI Board) was established in February 2023. The TPI Board helps the management of the various clusters make more deliberate risk assessments and record risk management measures on the basis of a standardised process, in a special file. The TPI Board consists of the Board of Directors, General Counsel, the QHSE Security & Risk Director and the group controller.
Within the power of attorney schedule at Unica, all contracts with a value exceeding €2.5 million undergo a check for legal aspects. For multiyear contracts with an annual contract value of more than €10 million, approval is also required from the Supervisory Board.
In managing its companies, Unica strives to achieve a sound balance on the one hand between autonomy and entrepreneurship and on the other the formalisation and standardisation of business processes. The current network structure of nine clusters is the perfect expression of this desired balance. Monitoring and reassessing that balance is a continuous point for attention in our risk management policy.