Shortly after being offered the opportunity to join the IFoA as CEO, I made it a priority to pore over the results of the all-member survey that had just landed. Some of the feedback was truly heartening: it was inspiring to see how excited our student population is about the professional journey ahead of them. The commitment of our volunteers, as ever, shone through. And given the importance that the IFoA places on diversity, equity and inclusion, it was encouraging to see how members from around the world come to us – and stay with us – because they believe the IFoA is a place where they can
What new skills have you developed recently? Our professional development arguably begins only after qualifying as an actuary – not because the exams aren’t useful (I for one couldn’t do my job without having learnt the required minimum), but because making a career that is right for us requires us to negotiate our own particular challenges and learn skills that have not yet made it into the standard syllabus.
This month we interview Kristian Niemitz, head of political economy at the IEA, who posits that there is a better way to organise a health system than the NHS, in order to deliver improved outcomes (p12).
I read The Actuary article ‘Home truths’ (May 2021) with dismay. Those who have designed these equity release mortgage products do not seem to understand the possible events as one or other of a couple become elderly. They do not die or move into long-term care simultaneously. For one reason or another, either while one or both are alive, there may well be a good reason to sell their home, and this is where the early repayment charge (ERC) cuts in.
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.
Climate change is in the consciousness of most organisations globally, and is an increasingly important factor in business decision-making; in some areas, it is a responsibility and a duty.
In our strategy debates, we discussed the importance of adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to problemsolving, in order to tackle the complex and systemic issues facing the profession and wider society.
In Aesop’s fable ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’, the hare’s natural running speed is undone by his character flaws, while the perseverant tortoise wins the race through dedication and hard work.
