Council is the governing body of the IFoA. It exercises governance and control over the IFoA and its affairs.  Representative and accountable to the membership, Council demonstrates leadership and drives the mission, vision and values of the IFoA by setting the strategic direction.

There are currently five Council members based in China: Haijing Wang is the senior VP of asset solutions, Ping An; Feifei Zhang has just returned to Shanghai to take up the Partner role at KPMG; Ellen Yang is a senior manager at KPMG based in China and HK; Mark O’Reilly currently advises Deloitte on HR as well as pensions matters; and Cynthia Yuan is Deputy General Manager of the actuarial and risk management department of China Re Group.

In this interview, Haijing, Feifei, Ellen and Mark share their experiences of being a Council member. They tell us why they feel it is important to have representation in the region and share their festive wishes with us for you, our members.

Why did you decide to stand for Council?

HW: I have been an active volunteer for the IFoA for many years. As a volunteer I have grown to value and understand the breadth of our profession, of which I am truly proud. I am keen to devote myself to help promote the profession for its members and serve the public interest.

FZ: I've been volunteering for the IFoA ever since I qualified.  After gaining some great professional work experience, I decided to stand for Council so I could be involved in the more strategic thinking of the IFoA.  My relatively broad work experience means I can help promote actuaries in different regions and various industries.

EY: I am a faculty member and there were additional leavers from the Scottish Constituency this year.  With my unique mixed work experience, I hoped I could contribute my views and also help to shape the future of the profession.

MO: I felt it important that the IFoA Council had adequate representation in Asia.

How important is it for the IFoA Council to have representation in the region?

HW: For any big organisation to succeed globally, localisation is very important. To have representation in the region means that the IFoA can understand and support local members much better and build a strong connection with them. Asia, as one of the fast developing regions, has lots to learn from the western world. Representation in the region also means we could bring more knowledge sharing to local governments, authorities, employers and other key stakeholders to increase our presence, which will not only support our members’ development but also serve the public interest.   

FZ: It is absolutely important and necessary to have representation in Asia.  It enables us to collaborate more closely with other professional bodies, local and international. Actuaries are in high demand in the region and each year, UK universities attract hundreds of Asian actuarial students. Now with more IFoA members working in the region, our professional presence also guarantees higher standards of member support and services.

EY: It is important that we hear the voice from our members in the region.  Being so far away from the UK, our professional community is more like a family in the region. I would encourage more voices from our members in this region and more active volunteers!

MO: It is important not just for the Asia members, but also for UK members to get input on what is changing around the world.

What is your experience of being a volunteer/member based outside the UK?

HW: I volunteered to take up my personal holiday to run IFoA members events in Beijing and Shanghai back in 2012 when I was still working in the UK. I also took on a volunteer role as a deputy committee chair for the IFoA’s first Asia conference in May this year.

EY: It is not easy I have to say. For example, we sometimes need to travel 15 hours for a one day meeting in London.  However, after a couple of council meetings, I do feel there is a necessity for council members to be outside the UK, mainly for the following two reasons:

  1. 50% of our member are based outside the UK
  2. there are still a small proportion of Council members based outside the UK, but it is improving.

There are lots of volunteering opportunities in various task forces and committees and I would recommend our members to closely monitor the vacancies in case there are any of interest.

MO: I am pleased to say that I feel my input has already had some influence.  Council members are very open to others' experience and insight.

What would you say to other members interested in standing for Council?

HW: I would highly recommend and encourage any members who are interested in standing for council to do so.  I would like to share with you what I put on my personal social media account after being elected as a council member: It is an honour, more of a job; it is an achievement, more of responsibilities.

What I would like to point out and emphases is that it will take up some of your personal time; however, it is truly a valuable experience which will enrich your life.

FZ: If you have the passion and can offer commitment, then go for it!  However, I would suggest take part in other volunteering work first.  For example, by joining the committees and working parties, you can then speak to council representatives and get some knowledge about how council works.

EY: Definitely a good experience worth trying! Go for it!

MO: I feel we now have good representation, but that needs to be maintained as our terms last only three years.  Also, having a longer list to choose from is healthy for the election process.  So there is every reason to put your name forward if you feel you have some special perspective that would help our profession.

What Christmas/New Year message do you want to send to our members in China and HK?

HW: As I see lights and decorations being put up, and the first snows of winter lay crisp on the ground, my thoughts turn to family, friends and the IFoA community across China to whom I wish the happiest of Christmas and a prosperous new year.

FZ: Well I'm actually starting my new journey in China (after 16 years in the UK) during the Christmas and New Year period.  So "peace of mind" and "quality family time" are the two wishful phrases that come to mind at this time.

EY: Please forget your spreadsheets and data for a week and enjoy spending time with families and friends! Merry Christmas!

MO: Merry Christmas, and please help make 2016 an interesting one for actuaries by putting forward new ideas and concepts!

Read more about the IFoA’s Council here.

Find details of all our volunteer vacancies here.