The actuarial world is developing at a fast pace with regard to technology, business areas and geography.

The actuarial world is developing at a fast pace with regard to technology, business areas and geography. It is more important than ever that we make sure the IFoA is able to make the most of these developments so as to deliver on our charter promise to promote the actuarial profession. If we are quiet, we risk becoming lost in background noise, failing both our members and the public interest.
Against this backdrop, I am delighted to be appointing two new directors to the IFoA executive. They will have a specific remit to make sure we continue to build awareness and understanding of the profession and the IFoA globally.
I am very pleased to announce that Sarah Sim (below, left) has been appointed to the role of director of markets development, effective immediately. Sarah previously held the role of head of global markets development at the IFoA. She has a wealth of experience in marketing, business development, organisational leadership and member bodies, and, prior to joining the IFoA, held the equivalent director role at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Sarah now faces the challenging task of launching a new directorate and recruiting a new team, while developing and delivering on our markets development strategy and supporting the new IFoA Markets Development Board. We are also recruiting for a number of roles that will bring enhanced focus to the British and African markets, and help us optimise opportunities for the profession in areas such as data science.
New to the IFoA is Annette Spencer (below, right), who joins us as director of public affairs and research this month. Annette has a wealth of relevant experience at board level, particularly in communications and public affairs. She brings experience gained from Zurich, RSA Insurance, the Universities Superannuation Scheme and the Financial Conduct Authority. Annette was also director of communications at The Investment Association and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. She joins at a time when our policy and public affairs teams are seeing increasingly successful engagement with key stakeholders and we are expecting the first outputs from our major research investment programme.

With these two key appointments, we will be well positioned to achieve our aim of the IFoA and its members being both sought after and heard in our priority markets and by key stakeholders.
I hope you will join me in welcoming Sarah and Annette into their new roles.
If you would like to know more about our activity in markets development or public affairs and research, please contact:
[email protected] or [email protected]
Derek Cribb is the chief executive of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries