We are delighted to announce that the IFoA has secured a sponsorship agreement with Dr Patrick Sun Cheong Poon to support our newly conceived Thought Leadership programme.
Dr Poon’s career spans more than 40 years in the insurance industry in China and south-east Asia. He was one of the first Chinese-born citizens to become an IFoA Fellow, in 1975, and is also a member of the American Academy of Actuaries and many Asian regional actuarial societies. He has served as a board member of the International Insurance Society and is a past president of both the Actuarial Society of Hong Kong and the Actuarial Society of Malaysia.
The Thought Leadership programme seeks to reposition the IFoA at the centre of societal debates, providing a forum and voice for actuaries in addressing pressing social issues, as well as strategic issues confronting the IFoA and the profession. The programme will encompass thought leaders, past IFoA presidents, external policymakers, academics and thinkers. The agenda will be wide ranging, covering COVID-19, finance in the public interest, mathematical futures, transforming the profession, behavioural science and sustainability. Keep an eye on our website for further information.
Dr Poon is also providing a generous donation to the IFoA Foundation, the IFoA’s independent charitable arm. As a result, the Foundation will set up a £500,000 China and south-east Asia scholarship fund to provide bursaries for actuarial students at eligible IFoA-accredited universities across both regions.
Tan Suee Chieh, IFoA president, said: “We are deeply appreciative of Patrick’s kind generosity and look forward to a productive philanthropic partnership.”
Kartina Tahir-Thompson, IFoA Foundation chair, said: “On behalf of the Trustees of the IFoA Foundation, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Dr Poon for his extremely generous support that will create real momentum towards our goals.”
