Press release

31 July 2008

This year’s conference for newly or almost qualified actuaries will highlight the need for ‘softer skills’ alongside traditional technical skills. The change reflects the increased demand for actuaries in new areas of finance such as enterprise risk management.

The change in focus coincides with the renaming of the Profession’s conference, now titled Momentum: the convention for actuaries of today and tomorrow. It was previously titled the Younger Members Convention.

Organiser Chris Venables said that although technical skills were as important as ever, actuaries were also increasingly called on to display high level communication and interpretation skills. He said the conference had shifted its focus by including a selection of workshops aimed at developing delegates’ softer skills in response to this change.

He said: “As well as covering all the technical skills and CPD requirements, we will offer workshops with a softer focus throughout the conference. We want to provide delegates with the skills that will allow them to take the next step in their careers and we see real value in offering them the opportunity to develop their softer skills.”

As the event, to be held in Berlin, targets actuaries with up to around five years’ post qualification experience, he said these skills were essential for actuaries starting out in the field as they developed their careers.

Mr Venables said the changes put in place for this year’s conference, including the increased emphasis on softer skills, the new name and the first international location in the conference’s history, reflected the progressive nature of the event.

“Each year, it gets stronger and stronger. The delegates that attend have finished their exams and now they are working towards their future and the future of the financial industry.”

Momentum: for actuaries of today and tomorrow will be held in Berlin on December 4 and 5.

Enquiries: Tel. Fleur Morrison on 020 7632 1453 or email fleur.morrison@actuaries.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Actuaries provide commercial, financial and prudential advice on the management of a business’s assets and liabilities, especially where long term management and planning are critical to the success of any business venture. They also advise individuals, and advise on social and public interest issues.
2. Members of the Profession have a statutory role in the supervision of pension funds and life insurance companies. They also have a statutory role to provide actuarial opinions for managing agents at Lloyd’s.
3. The Profession is governed jointly by the Faculty of Actuaries in Edinburgh and the Institute of Actuaries in London. A rigorous examination system is supported by a programme of continuing professional development and a professional code of conduct supports high standards reflecting the significant role of the Profession in society.