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Friday 26th February 2016
The Argonauts dining club is for actuaries working outside traditional areas and was established in 1955.
The Argonauts dining club is for actuaries working outside traditional areas and was established in 1955. It has a rich heritage going back to the time of Frank Redington and George Ross-Goobey, and the varied membership of today is made up of investment management professionals, independent trustees, academics and others.
On 19 November, the club celebrated its 60th anniversary with a splendid dinner in Staple Inn, with over 60 members and guests in attendance. In his opening speech, this year's chairman, Bill Smith, paid tribute to the members of the club. Bill noted that, in 1955, the vast bulk of long-term savings assets in the UK were managed in departments within life insurance companies and corporate pension funds. Today, investment management in the UK is a world leading stand-alone industry managing over £6trn. Many members have, over the years since the club's foundation, contributed to this achievement.
Following a dinner, an actuarial and non-actuarial speaker each gave an excellent talk: Martin Clark, the government actuary, generated a lot of interest from the audience with his outline of the history of the Government Actuary's Department and the scope of its activities. Jane Platt, chief executive of National Savings & Investments, provided a fascinating insight into the challenges and achievements of a business that today has 28 million customers and is a cornerstone of savings in this country.
The Argonauts meet three times a year, starting with drinks at 6.30pm, dinner at 7pm and two speakers at 9pm - one actuarial, one non-actuarial, for around 20 minutes each.
Our dinners are mostly held in Livery halls and members are therefore assured an interesting venue and a high-quality dinner.
On 5 May, our annual gala dinner will take place at the newly refurbished Ivy Restaurant, and the speakers will be Adrian Waddingham (co-founder of Barnett Waddingham) and Helen Pitcher (chairman, Advance Boardroom Excellence). New members are always welcome. Contact [email protected] or request to join the Argonauts group on LinkedIn.
On 19 November, the club celebrated its 60th anniversary with a splendid dinner in Staple Inn, with over 60 members and guests in attendance. In his opening speech, this year's chairman, Bill Smith, paid tribute to the members of the club. Bill noted that, in 1955, the vast bulk of long-term savings assets in the UK were managed in departments within life insurance companies and corporate pension funds. Today, investment management in the UK is a world leading stand-alone industry managing over £6trn. Many members have, over the years since the club's foundation, contributed to this achievement.
Following a dinner, an actuarial and non-actuarial speaker each gave an excellent talk: Martin Clark, the government actuary, generated a lot of interest from the audience with his outline of the history of the Government Actuary's Department and the scope of its activities. Jane Platt, chief executive of National Savings & Investments, provided a fascinating insight into the challenges and achievements of a business that today has 28 million customers and is a cornerstone of savings in this country.
The Argonauts meet three times a year, starting with drinks at 6.30pm, dinner at 7pm and two speakers at 9pm - one actuarial, one non-actuarial, for around 20 minutes each.
Our dinners are mostly held in Livery halls and members are therefore assured an interesting venue and a high-quality dinner.
On 5 May, our annual gala dinner will take place at the newly refurbished Ivy Restaurant, and the speakers will be Adrian Waddingham (co-founder of Barnett Waddingham) and Helen Pitcher (chairman, Advance Boardroom Excellence). New members are always welcome. Contact [email protected] or request to join the Argonauts group on LinkedIn.
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