Derek Cribb evaluates the IFoAs activities in 2014 and looks at what the new year has in store
As I write this month's article, I can hardly believe that 2014 is already drawing to a close. The year has flown by, and as we reach the end of another busy year for the IFoA, as usual I'd like to highlight some of the key activities we've undertaken to support our strategic objectives.
On education, we held the first Certified Actuarial Analyst (CAA) exam session, which saw entries from 20 countries. Financial firms and regulators increasingly rely on having strong technical skills embedded within staff at many levels of their organisations, and the CAA will ensure that these professionals have access to a qualification - and professional body - which is relevant to their career needs.
We have piloted the new Quality Assurance Scheme, which promotes greater engagement with actuarial firms and has attracted attention from many national actuarial societies around the world. While it is exciting to do something completely new, we will listen carefully to the feedback from the pilot to ensure that we get this right.
It is hard to highlight just one of our member events over the year, so I'll double up with the Life and GIRO conferences. Securing great speakers and content, aligned with expert execution, resulted in having around 2,000 attendees across the pair, and feedback from delegates confirms that the conferences continue to go from strength to strength.
Our work with UK regional actuarial societies continues to gain momentum. A recent survey of committee members within these found that, while there's more to be done, most felt supported by the IFoA.
We continue to build our public affairs profile. We were approached by Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, to partner on its global climate change conference. This is a real step forward for the IFoA, as it demonstrates how leading groups in the public affairs arena are recognising the contribution that actuarial knowledge can make to their work.
I am delighted that we have been able to appoint Professor Mark Cross as the first lay chair of the new Research and Thought Leadership Committee. His extensive experience of research and its application will be invaluable as we drive our agenda forward.
Highlights of 2015 promise to include the IFoA's first cross-practice residential conference, in Beijing in May, and the launch of our new website.
Wishing you all the best for the festive season.
Derek Cribb is the chief executive of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries