Since last month, I have been on the road representing the profession at the Labour and Conservative party conferences, in Liverpool and Birmingham respectively.
Since last month, I have been on the road representing the profession at the Labour and Conservative party conferences, in Liverpool and Birmingham respectively. Our attendance provided us with an opportunity to engage with key decision-makers on one of the biggest political challenges facing the UK government: the funding of social care - a priority for the IFoA's policy team, which has produced several reports in recent years. It is also a priority of my own, following my appointment to the Expert Panel responsible for advising government in preparation for the green paper, which is expected shortly.
The IFoA sponsored three fringe events across both conferences, in conjunction with the Dods Health and Care Forum. At the Labour conference, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Jon Ashworth MP, spoke about his priorities. A week later, at the Conservative conference, I met with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, to hear the government's thinking on care reform and to provide our view through the lens of our public interest remit. In the meantime, we are looking to build on the momentum gained through our new relationships in order to progress our policy priorities.
It was clear from speaking to parliamentarians, stakeholders and other attendees that the IFoA is known in certain quarters, but awareness of the IFoA 'brand' and the value that our profession can add to the policy debate is not universal. This highlights the importance of actuaries stepping out of the shadows - so please continue to engage with my grand challenge of making our profession known to your friends and family. #Iamanactuary.
Jules Constantinou is the president of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries