An update for April on what our society has been up to...


The cup of kindness
The Worshipful Company of Actuaries’ winter Livery Dinner on 30 January was held at Goldsmiths’ Hall, one of the most impressive livery halls, with stunning treasures and paintings. After the annual general meeting, all 140 attendees were ready for dinner, during which the Master welcomed four new freemen who had joined the Company earlier in the day. This was followed by a short presentation from liveryman Tom Ross on how donations from our Charitable Trust had helped the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation, a charity he chairs.
The food and wine were excellent, with the red wine brought from a vineyard in Slovenia that we visited as part of the Master’s weekend wine tasting tour last September. After dinner, liveryman Jill Ampleford welcomed guests, including three Masters and clerks from the Clothworkers, the Saddlers and the Shipwrights. The principal guest was Ms Julie Summers, a writer and historian and a good friend of the Master. She spoke about her latest book, Dressed for War, which covers the story of Audrey Withers, editor of Vogue magazine during the Second World War.
The Master then presented the Award of Honour for 2020 to Sally Bridgeland, our first female Master and a well-known and respected figure in the pensions and investment fields, who has devoted much time supporting the profession and championing more flexible working for women.
The Master then rounded off the evening, mentioning past Master Hawkes’ 80th birthday the day before and thanking all the staff at Goldsmiths’ Hall for their wonderful service. The latter was in particular reference to the tragic events at Fishmongers’ Hall last November during the London Bridge attack.
A wonderful evening was rounded off with a stirrup cup, when we finished all the Slovenian wine!
Deaths
Mr James Elmslie based in the UK and who gained fellowship in 1963, sadly passed away aged 100.
Mr Alan Watson based in Scotland and who gained fellowship in 2003, sadly passed away aged 49 (see obituary here).
What's on the web
@anniecat84
Earlier this month, @TheActuaryMag reported on the ‘lowest’ mortality rates recorded since 2011. In a matter of weeks, this statistic will be totally turned on its head. These are sad times the world over. #coronavirus
@ActuaryByDay
This video clearly explains the way models of infections work. Charts look different as he’s showing total infections, whereas my charts above show new infections and current infections. Fundamentals are the same though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kas0tIxDvrg
@HigherEdActuary
Simply brilliant. Mandatory viewing for actuaries... and everybody else. @TheActuaryMag
@actuarynews
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has announced that Louise Pryor has been confirmed as our next President-Elect.
@LouisePryor
I’m thrilled...
@actuarieskenya
Membership of The Actuarial Society of Kenya carries many benefits. To register, kindly send email to [email protected] or [email protected]

Dates for your diary
1 April 2020
Webinar – CMI update: Following the release of CMI_2019, the CMI Mortality Projections Committee will discuss future mortality improvements. Register: bit.ly/CMI_Web42020
20 April 2020
Insurance Data Science Conference Africa: This one-day event brings together experts from insurance, data science and computer science. insurancedatascience.org.za
Call for your news…
We would be delighted to hear from you. If you have any newsworthy items for these pages. Please contact us at: [email protected]