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Exclusive: How SAS is tackling risk management and compliance
Tue, 23rd Apr 2024

In an era where risk management and compliance are more critical than ever, businesses are on a constant quest for innovative solutions. These solutions must not only meet the ever-tightening grip of regulatory requirements but also unlock substantial business value, steering companies through the turbulent waters of the modern financial seascape. Leading the charge in risk management across Australia and New Zealand is Chris Schaub, Business Solutions Manager for Risk & Compliance, providing expert guidance.

SAS's journey began over forty years ago, evolving into an international hub of innovation in analytics and AI. The company's deep dive into industry-specific solutions, especially in the sectors of risk management in banking and insurance, has made waves. Schaub, in his lead customer advisory role, orchestrates the convergence of SAS’s market-leading technology with the unique needs of each customer, addressing the demands of regulatory compliance and risk management. “Our primary objective,” Schaub emphasises, “is to empower our clients, enabling them to extract above all tangible business value from our systems in these uncertain times.”

SAS’s narrative in Australia and New Zealand reflects the broader evolution of the analytics industry. From its early adoption in New Zealand to its expansion across key Australian cities, SAS’s trajectory underscores its commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions. With over a decade at SAS, Schaub offers a unique perspective on the company’s adaptive strategies tailored to the distinct regulatory landscapes of Australia and New Zealand. His insights reveal SAS’s agile cloud-native risk platform to meet the diverse regulatory standards, ensuring clients stay ahead of compliance curves, remain competitive and profitable.

A cornerstone of Schaub’s daily engagements is assisting clients in streamlining their operational processes and incorporating comprehensive risk analysis, such as climate risk vulnerabilities, into their decision-making frameworks. This forward-thinking approach exceeds compliance, fostering enhanced decision-making through robust data analytics. “SAS distinguishes itself through its storied history in analytics and a relentless pursuit of innovation,” Schaub states, highlighting SAS’s extensive patent portfolio and its adeptness at delivering industry-specific solutions on a flexible, next-generation platform.

According to Schaub, the future of risk management is indelibly marked by SAS’s pioneering contributions to the field of advanced analytics, AI and machine learning, a domain where SAS is keenly focused on harnessing its potential to revolutionise industry standards. Exploring AI’s capabilities to augment decision-making processes and operational efficiencies is a testament to SAS’s commitment to staying at the cutting edge of technology. Schaub stresses, “The integration of Generative AI into our offerings, aligned with our cloud-native risk solutions, accelerates and heralds a transformative era for risk management solutions to improve decisions, mitigate risks and enhance customer satisfaction.”

For emerging risk managers navigating this complex landscape, Schaub’s counsel is to cultivate a proactive mindset. Understanding the intricacies and interconnectedness of the business environment, leveraging the technological tools at one’s disposal, and staying abreast of regulatory trends are paramount. This comprehensive awareness enables risk managers to navigate the complexities of their roles effectively, ensuring their organisations remain resilient in the face of evolving challenges.

As SAS continues to forge ahead, its commitment to innovation, unparalleled customer service, and rigorous adherence to regulatory standards sets it apart in the industry. Schaub’s insights not only shed light on SAS’s pivotal role in redefining risk management but also underscore the importance of technology in crafting resilient, forward-looking solutions that cater to the dynamic needs of businesses today.

Through its innovative use of AI and analytics, SAS is not just responding to the current landscape but is actively shaping the future of the industry. SAS empowers businesses to navigate uncertainty with confidence, ensuring they are not just compliant but are setting new benchmarks in operational excellence and strategic foresight. The path ahead for SAS and its clients is one of continued innovation, collaboration, and transformation in the ever-evolving domain of risk management.