The IFoA pays tribute to former Council member and volunteer Mark Stocker, who has recently died.

Mark was born in Bexley on 13th February 1962. After attending Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, he went on to study mathematics at Wadham College, Oxford.

After graduating Mark started his actuarial training with Willis Faber before moving to Mercer in 1987, where he worked for over 19 years and where he met his wife Michaela. They were married in June 1990 and went on to have three sons, Ben, Dan and Louis.

Mark also worked at Buck for around 10 years, leading some of their largest client appointments and holding leadership and directorship positions, including serving as Chief Actuary. He was always larger than life, very professional, a ‘wise counsel’ and a good friend. Colleagues at Buck observed that one of Mark’s great attributes was nurturing young talent and giving them the trust and space to grow and develop while always providing guidance and support when it was needed.

Mark had a very successful career as an actuary, working at a number of leading consultancies and representing the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries as well as the International Actuarial Association. Mark believed in putting back into the profession and served on the Council of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for two terms.

In the last few years, Mark had set up Pensions Actuary Services which he was passionate about and incredibly proud of. He had recently taken a step back from full-time work but continued to put his knowledge and experience to good use as an expert witness and pension scheme advisor.

Outside of work Mark was keen to retain his involvement in education and was a governor at Birchwood High School for 18 years, becoming the Chair eight years ago. He was also a visiting lecturer in Actuarial Science at the University of East Anglia.

Mark had many interests outside of work including a love of West Ham United football club and a surprising taste in Prog Rock and 80s themed festivals. He was also loving being a grandparent to Dylan.

Our thoughts are with Michaela, Ben, Dan and Louis at this time.