One of the things I value about being the CEO of the IFoA is the clarity of accountability to our membership. It provides a clear line of sight for the things we do, what the organisation aims to achieve, and what I expect to be judged against.
We are all passengers on the same train. Whether we are just beginning our journey or stepping off, we need to ensure the actions we take now will benefit the IFoA in the longer term. Many of the opportunities and challenges we must consider will transcend our current leadership – and some of our membership, too.
We want the IFoA to be an influential, effective voice for actuaries into the future. We also want to help our members have sustainable, rewarding and fulfilling careers – and we must achieve both in a rapidly-changing world. Some of the activities under way to benefit our members will be felt quite quickly, others will come through over time, but we need ensure both are congruent.
We are fortunate to have a clear stewardship model, which starts with our membership, who can express their voice through the Council elections each year. The Presidential Team is elected from Council. Council has a majority on our Management Board, which I am specifically accountable to and where I must demonstrate that the IFoA is making progress against Council’s strategy. Although our roles are different, we work towards a common purpose: to be the voice of actuaries, and to support, develop and be the voice of our members.
Our membership’s voice is coming through loud and clear. We are listening and have responded, with much exciting work to do and follow through on. Several things will converge during the next year or so – including communicating what we offer members, a new IT platform for a more seamless user experience and more. You will see further evidence of our transformation in the short term, and the tracks we are laying for sustained change for members for the years to come.
Stephen Mann is the chiesf executive of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
