The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) has confirmed the election of Sir Steve Webb and Dr David Bellhouse as Honorary Fellows.

Both Sir Steve and Dr Bellhouse were nominated by the IFoA’s Council. Their election was  confirmed by an online members’ vote conducted over the summer.


Sir Steve Webb

IFoA President John Taylor said: “I am delighted to be able to confirm the election of these two eminent individuals as Honorary Fellows of the IFoA.

 “As Minister of State for Pensions – a post he held for longer than any other, before or since – Sir Steve was seen across party lines as a credible and innovative reformer.

“Outside of politics, as an academic and economist, he has contributed greatly to the debate around pensions and social care, most recently in his current role as the Director of Policy at Royal London.

“It is in recognition of his achievements both in and out of politics that he has been elected to IFoA Honorary Fellowship.

 “Dr David Bellhouse is a prominent Canadian academic, spending much of his career exploring statistical methodology in the social sciences. 

“In addition, he has contributed greatly to actuarial academia, and we recognise in particular his work to chart the history of the science, including notable works on Life Contingent Contracts in the Eighteenth Century and French mathematician Abraham De Moivre. For his acclaimed work in both areas, he is welcomed as an Honorary Fellow of the IFoA.”

Sir Steve Webb said:

“It is a huge honour to be elected as an Honorary Fellow. I have worked closely with IFoA members for many years on policy development, both as a Minister and working in the pensions industry.


Dr David Bellhouse

“I look forward to continuing and deepening that partnership in the years to come.”

Dr David Bellhouse said:"When I was first approached about being nominated for the honorary fellowship, it was a completely unexpected surprise. 

“My major contact with the Institute and Faculty had been with David Raymont in the archives at Staple Inn. He was very helpful to me in my historical research.

“I feel very honoured to receive this fellowship. I see it as the capstone to my career as a historian of statistics, probability and actuarial science."

You can read more about the criteria for Honorary Fellowship, the voting process, and how you can make your own nominations, on the IFoA website.