Inside story: Patrick Kelliher
Employer and area of work?
Self-employed consultant specialising in risk management.
Location?
Edinburgh, but I frequently find myself operating out of London and around the UK for extended periods of time.
What IFoA volunteering do you do?
I am chair of the Operational Risk Working Party; a member of the Risk Management Research and Thought Leadership Committee; previously chair of the Risk Classification Working Party; and a speaker at IFoA conferences and events. I am also a contributor to actuarial profession responses to consultations on banking and operational risk topics.
What's involved?
I focus on research projects. As chair of a working party, I am responsible for ensuring it is well run, adheres to IFoA governance, and delivers a high-quality end product.
What was your motivation for volunteering?
Helping the IFoA to be at the cutting edge of research increases the brand value of actuaries in general, as well as my own personal brand. This is very important in risk management, where actuaries face competition from other risk professionals.
It is why I helped set up the Operational Risk Working Party, which I hope will place actuaries at the forefront of this growing field.
What do you hope to achieve?
To deliver a high-quality end product, which adds to the reputation of the working party as well as the IFoA as a whole.
What new skills and knowledge have you developed?
You can build a great network of contacts through involvement in working parties, not just potential clients or business contacts but also people you can ask questions or bounce ideas off. As I expand my knowledge in a way relevant to my role, this allows me to claim CPD for my volunteering.
Has volunteering helped your career?
It does my CV no harm to be involved with cutting-edge research.
How do you balance your day job with your volunteer role?
Being self-employed, it involves a considerable amount of my private time. It can be tiring at the end of a day to devote another hour or two to research. But it is worth it.
How do you relax away from the office?
Hill-walking and reading, particularly books on history.
Who is your role model?
Irish leader, Michael Collins.
And your earliest dream job?
A soldier.
If you were locked in a famous building for a night... which would it be and why?
The Ritz-Carlton - I like my comfort.
Do you prefer a staycation or holiday abroad?
Holiday abroad.
What do you consider to be the most brilliant moment of your career to date?
Qualifying as a FIA. Nothing really beats it.
What would you say to others considering a volunteer role?
What we as actuaries gain from the profession depends on what we put in.
Patrick Kelliher FIA CERA Shares his experience engaging as an IFoA volunteer
