Welcome to the final 2021 edition of The Actuary. As another year comes to an end, so too does my time as this magazine’s editor. It has been a privilege to lead such a dedicated and talented team of volunteers during the past two years, and to collaborate with the wider team at the IFoA and the publisher, who work with passion and creativity to deliver each month’s issue.
One reason I was keen to join the IFoA as CEO was my belief that actuaries are a force for good. Having worked with actuaries in my pre-IFoA career, I have seen this first-hand, and the opportunity to help members find their voice in some of the big issues of the day was a motivation in applying.
We want our members to have rewarding and fulfilling careers. There is no set ‘landing zone’ for this, but underpinning our approach is the belief that the best thing we can do is ensure actuaries have a vision for the future, a growth mindset, and the knowledge that we will help them develop the skillsets and learning they need.
One of the IFoA’s many roles is to help our members achieve their potential. In a changing world, we can support you as you develop the skills, competencies and mindsets you need for successful, fulfilling and sustainable careers.
Welcome to the November issue of The Actuary. This month I interview Sid Malik about the non-traditional role of the actuary as a regulator in a central bank (p13), as part of the magazine’s support for actuaries considering wider fields and developing the skills they might need for successful careers in a changing world.
As our members – and indeed the world – face the unique challenges posed by climate change, the IFoA recognises its unique responsibility to support members with the challenges of today and the future. Navigating this new world requires new thinking and, over the past year, you have told us what would make a positive difference for you. We have listened.
At the beginning of next month, the United Nations will continue its custom of convening nearly every country for a global climate change summit. This year’s Conference of Parties – the UN’s 26th, and thus known as COP26 – gets underway in Glasgow, Scotland, on 1 November, and is where world leaders will strive to tackle the uniquely urgent challenges in sustainability today.
My two-year term at the helm of the magazine is nearly up, and as with every editor before me, there have been great challenges to face; however, these give the best rewards.
