The magazine of the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries

Opinion

Changing timesWhat defines us as a profession? Is it our technical expertise, the As another year comes to an end, so too does my editorship of The Actuary. The past two years have been a fantastic experience, and have gone by very quickly indeed. It has been a privilege to lead such a dedicated and talented team of volunteers, as well as the wider team at the IFoA and publishers, who diligently work behind the scenes to deliver the magazine every mont
Strength in numbersOur strategy recognises that actuaries are a small but global community who are at their strongest when working together. Globally, there are around 70,000 qualified actuaries, but more than five million qualified accountants and a similar number of lawyers.
Casting the net wideAs an IFoA member based outside the UK, I believe I have a different perspective from that of my predecessors. I'm currently based in Johannesburg, but spent most of my career in the UK. I have also been fortunate to have visited members in many other countries. I am therefore invested in fostering relationships with our UK-based members as well as responding to the ever-growing demand for IFoA membership and interaction overseas.
The business of scienceThe recent extreme weather in the US has caused devastation on a massive scale. Because of hurricanes like Harvey and Irma, people in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean have seen their lives and livelihoods washed away in an instant.
Professional prospectsWhat defines us as a profession? Is it our technical expertise, the high standards we hold ourselves to or the ability to apply our skills in a business setting? Perhaps it's a combination of these or other factors.
Adapting our focusWe talk a lot about professionalism in the financial services industry, but it can be hard to define exactly what that means. According to the Oxford English Dictionary it is 'the competence or skill expected of a professional'.
Reason from experience?The recent extreme weather in the US has caused devastation on a massive scale. Because of hurricanes like Harvey and Irma, people in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean have seen their lives and livelihoods washed away in an instant.
Why carbon monoxide should matter to actuariesCarbon monoxide, or CO, is a deadly gas emitted from appliances using any carbon-based fuel that burns (gas, coal, petrol, diesel, wood, etc).
Shaking things upDisruptive technology has become something of a catchphrase in contemporary conversation. Most believe that Harvard Business School professor Clayton M Christensen coined the term in 1997, and it refers to groundbreaking technology that displaces established methods, shaking up and sometimes creating completely new industries.
Championing health and techMuch progress has been made in tackling diseases around the world in recent years. However, there is growing evidence of antimicrobial resistance, which is thwarting efforts to improve health.