Jane Curtis bids a fond farewell and looks back with pride on her tenure as president
31 MAY 2012 | JANE CURTIS
As I approach the last few weeks in my post as president, I thought now would be an apt time to look back on our progress in bringing the Profession forward as a successful modern organisation. A year ago, we had just unveiled the strategy document setting out the main areas where the Profession needed to change and to refocus its resources. Now we can take stock of the work done in the past 12 months.
An essential element was to develop a new qualification structure that will integrate with regulatory oversight requirements and provide a robust and rounded preparation for members and their employers, whether in the UK or overseas. The new strategy has been developed, consultations have begun and the proposed analyst-level qualification is an exciting development.
New university programmes have been accredited throughout the world and we now have around 11,000 student members globally who are working towards qualifying as an actuary. The CERA award continues to flourish, with students taking the exam to qualify and skilled practitioners awarded the qualification on the basis of their experience in this field. Visits to universities and running careers fairs and school events mean that we continue to raise our profile and to attract the brightest and best students into the profession.
The strategy for member support was to refocus our energies into identifying what the needs of the membership are, and then trying our best to meet them, taking into account the diversity of the membership body. On an international level, our plans were to develop a programme of 'proactive engagement', where we provide a more comprehensive offering to members located overseas.
We are achieving this by improving communications through e-newsletters, expanding our presence in social media, offering rich media content via the website and conducting a complete review of all membership and education documents. Both The Actuary magazine and the Professionís website have been redesigned and relaunched. Membership communities overseas are flourishing and we have facilitated debate and communication between groups of members working in the same areas or locations. All the Profession's conferences have seen record-breaking attendance and continue to inspire and provoke new ideas.
Part of the strategy has been to raise our profile, both generally and within circles of influence, in order to make our voice heard on issues to which we can contribute. This has been achieved through our continuing presence and expert contributions at high levels within the UK government, the European Commission, the media and international partners. Our authority and impact has been significant, and the awareness of the Profession on an international stage has continued to grow.
A new UK public affairs strategy and integrated communications plan has been agreed, incorporating a customised Scottish programme. The presidential team attended more than 80 events and meetings with external stakeholders, including MPs, MSPs, government ministers and officials as well as regulatory bodies and other influential organisations. It has helped that we have focused our policy efforts on a limited number of specific areas where we can make a valuable impact. These include pension fund liability management and funding for long-term care.
Reigniting a love of learning in our members and reinvigorating the learned society and thought-leadership activities is the lifeblood of the Profession's long-term sustainability. The launch of the Actuarial Research Centre in Scotland, along with a whole range of other initiatives across the UK, is a great step towards achieving this aim.
My hopes at the start of the year have been more than met and I am proud to have been able to serve as your president throughout this period of tremendous progress. I have enjoyed the whole experience - in particular, being able to meet so many of the members of our wonderful profession.
I would like to thank all my colleagues on Council, the management board, the executive and all the volunteers for your help and guidance. Lastly, I send the best of wishes to Philip Scott for his year as president. Under his stewardship, and with David Hare as president-elect, we can anticipate an excellent future for the Profession.
Jane Curtis is the president of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
An essential element was to develop a new qualification structure that will integrate with regulatory oversight requirements and provide a robust and rounded preparation for members and their employers, whether in the UK or overseas. The new strategy has been developed, consultations have begun and the proposed analyst-level qualification is an exciting development.
New university programmes have been accredited throughout the world and we now have around 11,000 student members globally who are working towards qualifying as an actuary. The CERA award continues to flourish, with students taking the exam to qualify and skilled practitioners awarded the qualification on the basis of their experience in this field. Visits to universities and running careers fairs and school events mean that we continue to raise our profile and to attract the brightest and best students into the profession.
The strategy for member support was to refocus our energies into identifying what the needs of the membership are, and then trying our best to meet them, taking into account the diversity of the membership body. On an international level, our plans were to develop a programme of 'proactive engagement', where we provide a more comprehensive offering to members located overseas.
We are achieving this by improving communications through e-newsletters, expanding our presence in social media, offering rich media content via the website and conducting a complete review of all membership and education documents. Both The Actuary magazine and the Professionís website have been redesigned and relaunched. Membership communities overseas are flourishing and we have facilitated debate and communication between groups of members working in the same areas or locations. All the Profession's conferences have seen record-breaking attendance and continue to inspire and provoke new ideas.
Part of the strategy has been to raise our profile, both generally and within circles of influence, in order to make our voice heard on issues to which we can contribute. This has been achieved through our continuing presence and expert contributions at high levels within the UK government, the European Commission, the media and international partners. Our authority and impact has been significant, and the awareness of the Profession on an international stage has continued to grow.
A new UK public affairs strategy and integrated communications plan has been agreed, incorporating a customised Scottish programme. The presidential team attended more than 80 events and meetings with external stakeholders, including MPs, MSPs, government ministers and officials as well as regulatory bodies and other influential organisations. It has helped that we have focused our policy efforts on a limited number of specific areas where we can make a valuable impact. These include pension fund liability management and funding for long-term care.
Reigniting a love of learning in our members and reinvigorating the learned society and thought-leadership activities is the lifeblood of the Profession's long-term sustainability. The launch of the Actuarial Research Centre in Scotland, along with a whole range of other initiatives across the UK, is a great step towards achieving this aim.
My hopes at the start of the year have been more than met and I am proud to have been able to serve as your president throughout this period of tremendous progress. I have enjoyed the whole experience - in particular, being able to meet so many of the members of our wonderful profession.
I would like to thank all my colleagues on Council, the management board, the executive and all the volunteers for your help and guidance. Lastly, I send the best of wishes to Philip Scott for his year as president. Under his stewardship, and with David Hare as president-elect, we can anticipate an excellent future for the Profession.
Jane Curtis is the president of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
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