However, the techniques have also been applied in wider fields, for example the initiative between the actuarial and civil engineering professions.
Another example of how actuarial techniques have been applied to non-traditional areas of risk management is identified in this case study produced by the IFoA's FRC and risk reporting working party
The history of actuaries in financial services
Actuarial science was initially developed to quantify mortality risks, using probability and statistics to understand the benefits of pooling of risks. With this initial work on mortality risks leading to the rise of life insurers with large funds to invest, actuaries then moved in to advising on these investment risks and the needs of life insurers to protect their solvency from fluctuations in market values. The mathematical expertise of actuaries enabled them to develop scientific techniques relevant initially for fixed interest investments, but now also for equities, property, derivatives and other classes. This has helped life insurers to survive the various financial crises of the last 80 years and the increasingly volatile conditions of recent years - An extract from a paper produced by the IFoA's FRC and risk reporting working party 2014.
The extent of actuaries' activities is perhaps best illustrated by the economic capital models now being used for risk management, capital management and regulatory reporting - An extract from a paper produced by the IFoA's FRC and risk reporting working party 2014.
Ethics and standards
In becoming a member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, members are making a personal commitment to high standards of education, competence and integrity. In return for this commitment, we offer attractive and relevant member benefits, such as professional education programmes and networking opportunities.
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries issues Actuarial Profession Standards, which are ethical, and the Financial Reporting Council sets technical actuarial standards. All our members must follow the Actuaries' Code.
Education (including CPD and CERA)
Risk Management and Communication are both fundamental to the training of actuaries. Risk management concepts are embedded throughout the practice specific examination subjects and educational material, including an examination specifically in Actuarial Risk Management (CA1). Furthermore, a dedicated examination (ST9) is available for actuaries wanting to specialise in enterprise risk and, in addition to the fellowship, the globally recognized Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary (CERA) qualification. Actuaries also benefit from Continuing Professional Development and an active programme of member-led research, and many of these events and publications are sponsored by a flourishing Enterprise Risk Management community.
How actuaries can help you
What you need to know; those areas of the Guidance where actuaries have the most to offer:-
- Rationale is that, for core control and effectiveness competencies, most UK listed companies will/should have strong frameworks
- What is "new" in this guidance is the requirement for "robust risk assessments" which imply probabilities, stress tests, modelling etc.
(This is an extract from a paper produced by the IFoA's FRC and Risk Reporting working party, which will be available in November).
Many companies will already comply with the requirements, and actuaries are able to help directors report on the processes already in place in a language consistent with the new guidance - Extract from a paper produced by the IFoA's FRC and Risk Reporting working party.
Contact Details
If you want more information about this research working party please contact the Communities Team.
Filter or search events
Events calendar
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NOCA event - The stochastic full balance sheet model
N/A13 December 2019Presenter Bill Curry
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ARC Sessional Research Event: Drivers of Mortality - Risk Factors and Inequality
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ6 January 2020The authors will focus on a large dataset obtained from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) and related sources. Data are available at the level of Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) – small geographical areas with, typically, 1000-2000 residents and include death counts, exposures and a significant number of socio-economic variables including the index of multiple deprivation (IMD).
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SIAS Event: My Journey to Data Science, Big Data and AI
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn, London, WC1V 7QJ7 January 2020Patrick Lee is an actuary who has made the transition to working in software architecture and artificial intelligence (AI). He holds Microsoft Professional qualifications in Data Science, Big Data and AI and is currently working towards a DevOps (the automation of software testing and deployment) qualification. He is a member of the IFoA Council and is also President of the Wessex Actuarial Society. He is also a member of the IFoA and the RSS's joint Data Science Focus Group and will talk on the ethical use of AI.
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NED Event: Actuaries as iNEDs of Investment Fund Boards / Investment Governance Committees and Value
Staple Inn Hall High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ9 January 2020This IFoA event for NEDs explores what skills and experience are required to undertake non-executive roles, e.g. as independent NEDs on fund boards or members of IGCs. The event will be chaired by Brandon Horwitz, an actuary who is a consultant and who has held various investment governance roles and who specialises in investment governance as well as being an iNED.
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NoCA event - The Matching Adjustment Calculation
N/A10 January 2020This presentation covers the detail for how the matching adjustment is calculated. A small simple example spreadsheet is provided and discussed in detail.
For actuaries wanting to get more involved with the matching adjustment, this is the opportunity to get a detailed description of the mechanics involved. This includes cashflows derisking, PRA tests as well as hypothecation.
The presentation is provided by James Sharpe who has worked on a number of matching adjustment calculations with several firms.
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IFoA Volunteer Recognition Reception
Staple Inn, 4 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 6DR, UK15 January 2020As a thank you to all our Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) volunteers, you are invited to join us at Staple Inn Hall, for an evening of drinks, canapes and networking, in London.
IFoA President, John Taylor, will be attending and will make a speech
If you support the IFoA as a volunteer (member or non-member), or in any other role, and you are going to be in London on 15 January, please book your place and join us at this reception.
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Professional Skills Training - London (16 January 2020)
Staple Inn, High Holborn, London WC1V 7QJ16 January 2020This event is now fully booked. To join the waiting list please click here.
A Trusted Profession
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Sessional Meeting - Operational Risk Dependencies
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 9 Queen St Edinburgh EH2 1JQ20 January 2020The Operational Risk Working Party aims to assist actuaries and others in the modelling and management of operational risk. One of the key challenges in modelling operational risk is the modelling of dependencies between operational risks, and between operational and non-operational risks such as market, credit and insurance risk.
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Professional Skills Training - Edinburgh (23 January 2020)
IFoA (Edinburgh), Level 2, Exchange Crescent 7 Conference Square Edinburgh EH3 8RA23 January 2020This event is now fully booked. To join the waiting list please click here.
A Trusted Profession
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KSS event in Glasgow: Public Sector Pensions
Hymans Robertson, Glasgow 20 Waterloo St, Glasgow30 January 2020– the unappreciated key assumption, the resulting unsustainable promises, the unmanaged risk and the unrecognised debt?
Speaker: Allan Martin will present this talk on 30 January in Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh. If you wish to register for another location please return to the Events Calendar.
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KSS event in Stirling: Public Sector Pensions
M&G Prudential, Stirling Craigforth Campus, Stirling30 January 2020– the unappreciated key assumption, the resulting unsustainable promises, the unmanaged risk and the unrecognised debt?
Speaker: Allan Martin will present this talk on 30 January in Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh. If you wish to register for another location please return to the Events Calendar.
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KSS event in Edinburgh: Public Sector Pensions
Hymans Robertson 1, Exchange Place, Semple St, Edinburgh30 January 2020– the unappreciated key assumption, the resulting unsustainable promises, the unmanaged risk and the unrecognised debt?
Speaker: Allan Martin will present this talk on 30 January in Glasgow, Stirling and Edinburgh. If you wish to register for another location please return to the Events Calendar.
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The Great Risk Transfer – Breakfast briefing and launch event
Staple Inn Hall, High Holborn London WC1V 7QJ31 January 2020Launch of the IFoA’s 2020 thought leadership campaign The Great Risk Transfer. The campaign will examine the trend of the transfer of risk from institutions to individuals, and how people can be better equipped to manage the financial risks they now face. At this breakfast event the IFoA will launch a call for evidence on this topic.
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NoCA event - The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals: The role of actuaries
N/A31 January 2020Presenters: Rebecca Deegan, Head of Policy, IFoA, and Faye Alessandrello, Policy Manager, IFoA
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Professional Skills Training - London (11 February 2020)
Staple Inn, High Holborn, London WC1V 7QJ11 February 2020A Trusted Profession
A 2 hour CPD event designed to meet the IFoA’s Stage 3 Professional Skills Training under the IFoA’s CPD Scheme 2019/2020. This session is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Pensions, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive, so you should come along prepared to take part in the discussions.
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Sessional: Impact of E-cigarettes Working Party
Royal College of Physicians, 9 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JQ24 February 2020This sessional meeting will be of direct interest to actuaries and others working in the in the Health and Care, Life or Pensions sectors or indeed actuaries with an interest in morbidity or mortality. Note: Registration is from 17.30 in time for the sessional to begin at 18.00.
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Professional Skills Training - Edinburgh (25 February 2020)
IFoA (Edinburgh), Level 2, Exchange Crescent 7 Conference Square Edinburgh EH3 8RA25 February 2020A Trusted Profession
A 2 hour CPD event designed to meet the IFoA’s Stage 3 Professional Skills Training under the IFoA’s CPD Scheme 2019/2020. This session is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Pensions, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive, so you should come along prepared to take part in the discussions.
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NoCA event - Model Risk
N/A28 February 2020Presenter: Mark Pibworth
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KSS event: Evolutionary finance – techniques for solving financial problems (repeat session)
Royal London, 1 Thistle Street10 March 2020Speaker: Dr Marc Roper
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Data science - How actuaries can optimize usage of data science techniques within their sectors
Staple Inn, 4 High Holborn, Holborn, London. WC1V 6DR12 March 2020The world of Data Science continues to exponentially grow with unknown limits and where it can reach. However, without data we will all still face these challenges in our day to day life.
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What does this mean for Actuaries serving as NEDs and Trustees? These areas are likely to provide ne
Staple Inn, 4 High Holborn, Holborn, London. WC1V 6DR, UK19 March 2020Recent years have seen ESG, Climate Change, and Responsible Investing thrust onto the corporate agenda in every boardroom. The same also be said for pension funds. Expectations of how companies should respond are high and NEDs on Boards are expected to adapt and adjust their guidance to companies accordingly. What does this mean for Actuaries serving as NEDs and Trustees?
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Spring Lecture 2020, Edinburgh - Vicky Pryce
Assembly Rooms, 54 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2LR25 March 2020What next in Economic Policy?
Please join us on 25 March 2020 for our annual Spring Lecture presented by Vicky Pryce in Edinburgh.
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NoCA event - Intergenerational Fairness: Thinking long-term
N/A27 March 2020Presented By: Rebecca Deegan, Head of Policy, IFoA, and Catherine Burtle, Senior Policy Analyst, IFoA
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IFoA Asia Conference 2020, Kuala Lumpur
CCEC Nexus, 7, Jalan Kerinchi, Bangsar South, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia24-25 June 2020The sixth annual Asia Conference once again offers a prestigious line-up of home and international speakers discussing the insurance and financial industry’s innovation and change in Asia. This year's conference in Kuala Lumpur will be hosted by Tan Suee Chieh, IFoA’s first Asian President. He will also make his Presidential address at this conference and will expand on the important elements of IFoA’s new strategy.
Additionally, this landmark conference will showcase how the IFoA is reinventing itself to support its members to succeed and thrive in a digital age, within traditional businesses and beyond, as a global organisation.
Not to be missed by international industry players, opinion formers, academic and industry leaders, actuaries and non-actuaries.