First job: Stockbroker

Key steps between first job and current one:

• Wholesale banker with UBS
• Led financial sector risk consultancy for KPMG in UK

Current Work

Oversight, standard setting, methodology/model approval, research, aggregate risk reporting and internal consultancy in all areas of financial risk across HBOS group. Financial Risk means banking, asset-liability modelling, market risk, liquidity risk, credit risk and insurance risk (technical, persistence, solvency, etc).

Opportunities for others

Group Financial Risk is approximately 50 colleagues in size. Most roles are open to appropriately experienced actuaries.

Hurdles to surmount

Historically actuaries appear to have developed a reputation for being technical, narrow, boring and black box. Getting an interview in my arena is a key hurdle. When you get one, think big picture and ensure you communicate.

Original reason for becoming an actuary

To sell risk consultancy to insurance businesses.

Subsequent thoughts

Formal actuarial training is an excellent base for understanding financial risk management, although few actuaries really work in this sphere. Few challenge the assertion that risk management in insurance businesses is weak and it is a key FSA focus area. There are plenty of opportunities.

Career History

Job moves are listed above. The key defining element was doing an MBA in the late 1980s. This helped me to think big picture and to develop strategic thinking processes.