Jane Curtis welcomes some new faces to the Professions team
Welcome to my first column for 2012. This year promises to be one of the most rewarding yet for the Profession as the impact of our strategy changes and new initiatives come on stream. As President, I am often the public face of the Profession but, behind the scenes, the assistance of a strong and experienced executive team is invaluable. In the past few months, new faces have joined this team and I would like, in this article, to introduce them to a wider audience.
In November 2011, the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries announced that Derek Cribb was to be its new chief executive. Derek qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloitte in London, and gained broad experience in a range of strategic, operational and financial roles in both the private and public sector before joining the organisation in May 2010. He is already familiar with the responsibilities and requirements of the role, including helping to re-shape the executive team.
As chief executive, Derek will manage the affairs of the Institute and Faculty, working closely with the Council and Management Board members to ensure we progress towards the strategy targets agreed last year. His CV covers a wide variety of businesses and, latterly, he has held the positions of interim chief operating officer of the Pension Protection Fund and chief finance officer, UK customers and products, of Barclays plc. I am delighted that we have such a committed professional with the drive and enthusiasm to fulfil this important role.
He will be supported in his role by a new member of the team, Anne Moore, who joined us last year, taking on the crucial role of director of finance and operations.
More recently, Ben Kemp was formally appointed to the role of General Counsel to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries with effect from 6 February 2012. Ben had previously been filling the position on a part-time basis but now joins us full-time and will take the lead on the Profession's legal and regulatory issues. Ben will be based primarily at Maclaurin House and many will already know him from his previous work in Scotland, including teaching public law and human rights at Edinburgh University.
Prior to joining us full-time, Ben was a partner in the regulatory and professional disciplinary department of Kingsley Napley LLP and regularly advised regulatory, professional and public bodies. He comes highly recommended, with clients praising his mastery of the law and his solid advice.
Memoria Lewis continues to drive forward the strategic objectives to support our members, as does Trevor Watkins as the director of education.
Another recent recruit has been Dan Watts. As part of the Public Affairs Directorate, he will act as a guide to the President's responsibilities, ensuring that the team is well briefed to represent the organisation when meeting our stakeholders. Communication and the way the public perceive us is key to the profession, so Dan is a crucial part of ensuring that we fulfil our aims. He joined us having previously worked at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Home Office, working for government ministers and on the UK's representation on justice and home affairs matters in Brussels.
We will, in due course, be saying farewell to Paul Atkinson, our interim public affairs director, who has made an important contribution to building strong foundations for our more active approach to public affairs and thought leadership. Paul wishes to continue his career as an independent consultant and he is working closely with Derek Cribb to recruit a permanent director of policy and external public affairs.
Changes over the past year in our executive team have allowed us to bring in new talent and people with diverse skills that complement our existing expertise. Often it is the newest recruits who can take a completely objective view and recommend improvements to the way we operate.
Throughout all the changes to the team, one person remains unfailingly indispensable. Marion Young, as secretary to the Profession's Council and Management Board, makes sure that the workings of the Profession run smoothly. She has frequently been consulted for her in-depth knowledge of the functions and powers of the Council.
So, as 2012 gets under way, it is my pleasure to wish you a happy and successful year and to look forward to the coming
months with a great team of staff and volunteers, each of whom brings their unique talents to make the Profession as highly regarded as it is.
Jane Curtis is the President of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries