Who we are
We are the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and our subsidiaries: Continuous Mortality Investigation (CMI) Limited, ICA 98 Limited, and Institute and Faculty Education (IFE) Limited. We are the chartered professional body dedicated to educating, developing and regulating actuaries based both in the United Kingdom and internationally
We are registered as Data Controllers with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) in the United Kingdom:
The IFoA registration number: Z4899224
The CMI Registration number: ZA121735
Where we are based
We maintain offices in England, Scotland, China, Hong Kong and Singapore.
How you can contact us
For general enquiries, visit the contact us page.
For CMI specific enquiries: info@cmilimited.co.uk
For enquiries about this notice or your information rights: our Data Protection Officer can be contacted by:
Telephone: +44 (0) 131 240 1311
Email: data.protection@actuaries.org.uk
Why we need to process your personal data
| Who you are: | Why we process your data: |
|---|---|
|
A member of the IFoA |
To facilitate your membership of the IFoA and to assist in the fulfilment of our role as a regulator |
| A member of another actuarial association undertaking IFoA examinations or applying for mutual recognition | To administer the setting of assessments or in considering applications for mutual recognition status |
| A prospective member of the IFoA or non-member wishing to sit IFoA examinations that are available to non-members | To process your application to join the IFoA. If you are sitting IFoA assessments independently as a non-member, we need to use your personal data in the course of setting assessments |
| A non-member attendee or speaker at an IFoA event | To administer your attendance at specific events |
| A non-member undertaking voluntary work for the IFoA | To support the administrative and communications activity required to manage volunteers |
| An organisational representative or contact under the IFoA Quality Assurance Scheme (QAS) | In the course of processing your organisation’s application for QAS status and any subsequent administration associated with the QAS. You can read the QAS privacy notice here |
|
An organisational representative or contact under the IFoA Designated Professional Body Scheme (DPB) |
In the course of your organisation’s application for DPB status and any subsequent administration associated with DPB |
| A customer or supplier of goods or services to the IFoA | To communicate with you, place or fulfil orders for goods or services and to send and receive payments |
| A job applicant | To assist with the administration of the recruitment and selection process |
| A member of IFoA staff or someone engaged in a paid role | For the day to day administration of your employment or engagement with us |
|
A user of the IFoA website |
To analyse site performance and, if you are a registered user, to provide account related functionality |
| Someone interested in a career as an Actuary (including school children) | To keep you up to date with relevant information about actuarial careers |
Where we get your personal data
Depending on our reasons for processing your data the sources of this data may be:
- you;
- your current and previous employer(s);
- other actuarial organisations;
- educational bodies including schools;
- other regulators;
- employment agencies;
- credit reference agencies;
- your previous customers or suppliers;
- social media and the Internet;
- public records.
If you browse our website we may collect basic information about you via Google Analytics. For more information please see our Cookie Policy
The lawful basis for processing your personal data
The IFoA only process personal data where there is a lawful basis for doing so. These are:
- legal obligation;
- contract;
- vital interest;
- legitimate interest;
- public task.
In line with our role as a regulator we may also process personal data where there is a substantial public interest. This means we may process data without consent in order to protect the public from dishonesty, or in the investigation of malpractice, unlawful acts or improper conduct.
The types of personal data we process
Depending on our reasons for processing your data we may process your:
- contact details (i.e. name, previous name(s), current and previous postal addresses, work address, email addresses, phone number(s));
- marital status;
- education history and exam performance;
- employment history;
- professional interests;
- payments (to and from us);
- financial details;
- correspondence (to and from us);
- professional development;
- attendance at events;
- national insurance number or equivalent;
- passport / identity card number;
- health information;
- location of birth;
- criminal records;
- disciplinary records.
If you browse our website, we may capture and process:
- a unique machine-generated visitor ID;
- the date and time of your first visit, current visit, and total number of visits to the site;
- the number of pages visited;
- when your visit has ended;
- information about the traffic source (where you came from).
How we keep your data secure
Personal data received by the IFoA will be held in accordance with our information security standards. When we share data with third parties we ensure the required technical and organisational controls are in place to keep the data secure. When sharing personal data we use appropriate controls and safeguards. These will be specified in our individual Data Sharing agreements. Examples include only dealing with authorised individuals, adhering to internal policy controls and the use of secure file sharing portals and encryption.
Children's data
From time to time the IFoA processes the personal data of children. This may be to facilitate entry to IFoA sponsored academic competitions, recognise excellence in mathematics at secondary education level or to keep aspiring actuaries up to date with relevant careers information. When we do this the lawful basis is our legitimate interests as the chartered body for actuaries in the United Kingdom. Children's data is kept securely at all times, processed in accordance with the Information Commissioner's Office 'Age Appropriate Design Code ('Children's Code') and available only to those employees that require access to it for their job.
When we share your personal data with third parties
We will share, where appropriate, your personal data with the following organisations:
- payment processors and our bank;
- exam centres holding exams on our behalf;
- organisations assisting with exam logistics such as marking platform providers, scanning services and plagiarism checking;
- the British Council;
- publishers;
- other actuarial organisations;
- electoral services providers;
- travel and accommodation booking service providers;
- credit reference agencies;
- employment agencies;
- your current and/or previous employer;
- courier delivery services;
- external legal advisors;
- third parties who supply the services that support the delivery of our publications, newsletters and electronic library services;
- if you're representing us in the UK or overseas and we are funding your travel, we may share personal data about you with travel services, hotels and selected third parties only to facilitate your travel and attendance;
- members and lay-members via involvement in our boards, committees, working parties, member interest groups and regional societies;
- members and lay-members acting in roles as principle examiners, exam supervisors, other exam personnel, exam counsellors, independent examiners, subject matter experts, and investigating actuaries;
- tracing services, in relation to compliance and disciplinary matters;
- Competent authorities - i.e. tribunals, courts, police forces, and other regulators such as the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), the Pensions Regulator (tPR), or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Where we share your personal information with other regulators, this is part of our regulatory function, and extends to disclosures relating to disciplinary actions, as well as periodic auditing of our activity by competent authorities. In line with our rules and byelaws, we will not seek your consent for these disclosures.
Illustrative examples of data sharing with third parties:
| Category of third party recipient | Whose data | Examples of data sharing |
|---|---|---|
| Other IFoA members acting on behalf of the IFoA | IFoA members volunteering or applying for volunteer vacancies |
|
| Employers of actuaries | IFoA members |
|
| Other actuarial associations |
IFoA members, Members of other actuarial associations, applicants for the CERA mark |
|
| Universities, colleges and educational providers | Prospective and current student members of the IFoA and other actuarial associations |
|
| Regulators and competent authorities | IFoA members |
|
| Organisations and individuals involved in the assessment and delivery of the examinations of the IFoA | Student members of the IFoA, non-member candidates and members of other actuarial organisations sitting IFoA examinations |
|
| Suppliers of member related services | IFoA members and non-members that have registered their interest in our qualifications or services |
|
| Publishers and digital content providers | IFoA members and non-member subscribers |
|
| Employment agencies | Job applicants |
|
| Members of the public making a complaint about an actuary | IFoA members |
|
Social media
We have separate terms and conditions for our social media channels covering issues around data sharing with channel owners, content and behaviour. These are available to review here
When we might transfer your information across borders
As an international body, to facilitate the delivery of regulatory objectives or services related to membership and learning we regularly transfer personal data across jurisdictions.
We routinely store or process personal data:
- within the UK; or
- in line with the EU Exit Regulations: within the EEA and countries recognised by the EU as providing an 'adequate' level of protection; or
- internationally to countries without an 'adequacy' decision using appropriate technical, organisational and contractual safeguards.
As required under the GDPR our representative within the EU is 'Data Protection Representative Limited', 12 Northbrook Road, Dublin, Ireland, D06 E8W5. You can access our representative services from any EU country, further details are here.
How long we retain your personal data
We only retain personal data for as long as legally required or as long as required by the objects in our Royal Charter.
We securely dispose of personal data when the retention period has expired.
Copies of our Records Retention Schedule can be requested via our Data Protection Officer: data.protection@actuaries.org.uk
When the use of your personal data is based on our legitimate interests
If we send you information based on our legitimate interests as a professional body such as professional newsletters, updates on our activity, Continuous Professional Development opportunities and notices of events you are able to opt out of receiving this at any time.
By Royal Charter, we are obliged to act in the public interest. Pursuant to our role as a regulator and the objects of our Charter you cannot opt-out of receiving certain types of regulatory and governance related information.
Your rights as a data subject
You have the right to:
- obtain a copy of any personal data we hold that is about you and not subject to any exemption in data protection law, including footage recorded on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems where the IFoA is the Data Controller;
- correct any information we hold about you that is inaccurate or out of date;
- ensure we dispose of any personal data we hold about you (once all legal and regulatory record keeping requirements have expired);
- restrict the processing your personal data;
- object to us processing your personal data;
- erase your personal data, where we no longer have a lawful basis or valid operational reason for holding it;
- request we send all or some of the personal data we hold about you to another organisation.
If you wish to exercise any of your rights please contact the Data Protection Officer with your request: data.protection@actuaries.org.uk
If you’re unhappy with how we have used your personal data
In the first instance, please contact our Data Protection Officer so that we can deal with your enquiry. If you are unhappy with how we deal with your concerns you have the right to make a complaint to a Supervisory Authority about how we process your personal data.
In the United Kingdom the Supervisory Authority is the Information Commissioner’s Office
We updated this notice on the 8th March 2021:
- We updated our Privacy Notice to incoporate reference to the Information Commissioner's Office 'Children's Code'
Filter or search events
Events calendar
-
Pensions Conference 2021
Online webinar series16 June 2021 - 22 June 2021
Welcome to the programme for our 2nd Virtual Pensions Conference. This year's conference features 11 webinars offering members and non-members the opportunity to get up to date content from leading experts in the pension industry. There will also be opportunity to ask questions and contribute to the discussion. -
Presidential Speaker Series with Sir Adrian Smith
23 June 2021
Mathematical Futures: The Actuary in a World Transformed – Sir Adrian Smith will outline how advances in data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence in the world of big data will transform the nature of many industries, including financial services. The broader environment within which mathematics is applied will change rapidly, often led by innovative yet disruptive forces outside. These changes will undoubtedly have an impact on the work of actuaries - and the profession will need to adapt quickly to thrive. -
This session will explore how the new index has revealed previously uncaptured mortality inequalities by using predictive variables at a high degree of granularity. Globally renowned leader in actuarial science Professor Andrew Cairns and his co-investigator Torsten Kleinow will demonstrate the uses of new LIFE index such as the causes of high or low mortality and regional differences in mortality. -
Annual General Meeting 2021
24 June 2021Given our commitment to the safety of our members and employees, and as the easing of restrictions in respect of COVID-19 cannot be guaranteed at this point in time, we have decided to hold our AGM virtually again this year.
The Business of the AGM
-
IFoA Presidential Address 2021
25 June 2021Join newly inaugurated IFoA President Dr. Louise Pryor as she explores what we need to do to keep abreast of the changing world – and how we can seize the resulting opportunities – in her Presidential Address, ‘A Learning Society’
-
Dr Patrick Sun Cheong Poon, lead sponsor of the IFoA’s 2021 Thought Leadership Programme, will be discussing his motivation for supporting the new events programme with Immediate Past President Tan Suee Chieh. The IFoA’s Thought Leadership Programme seeks to reposition the IFoA at the centre of key societ -
The world is changing. The fourth industrial revolution, globalisation and the COVID-19 pandemic are up-ending traditional social and business norms around the world; changes that were once predictable and steady are now faster and more profound. -
This is a free webinar on the consultation on changes to the Practising Certificates (PC) Scheme.The proposals come from a recent review of the PC Scheme which was the first substantive look at the IFoA’s approach to the requirements and process for PCs since 2010. It responds directly to feedback received on how the current scheme works especially that received from members and PC Holders.
-
Actuaries in all practice areas have had an “alert” to consider climate risk. A plethora of scenarios and tools are being developed both internally and as part of industry-wide initiatives but is there yet a sense of good practice? -
Behavioural Science Series with Dr Anthony Hodgson: Systems Thinking & Tragedy of Consciousness
5 July 2021We have entered the global age which is invalidating most of the assumptions upon which our success up till now has depended. For example, in the global planetary society there can be no externalities. Although there is increasing clamour for new ways of thinking, sadly, our attempts to invent such new ways remain trapped in the same historical set of assumptions. The result is that we are faced with three tragedies. -
The paper “Asset liability modelling in the quantum era” shall be presented by its authors, Tim Berry and James Sharpe, and chaired by Andrew Smith, Assistant Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at University College Dublin. -
The elements of climate change that influence and impact on health & care, both in terms of the direct and indirect impact on mortality and morbidity, and the sustainability of healthcare globally are many. -
Today’s breakneck pace of technological change has an immense impact on leaders—and as a result, on their organizations’ capacity to transform. All too often, executives remain stuck in outdated mindsets and modes of operating, even when they recognize the need to reinvent themselves. Leadership expert Herminia Ibarra upends traditional, introspective advice and says act first—in order to change your way of thinking. Following her presentation, Herminia Ibarra will be joined by Louise Pryor, incoming IFoA President and Hash Piperdy, Managing Director at Epitome Global, for a panel discussion around the themes of the session. The panel will be chaired by Tan Suee Chieh.
-
General Insurance Pricing Report
13 July 2021
The IFoA’s Actuarial Review Team will publish its second thematic review in June 2021. The review is looking at the involvement of actuaries in the pricing of UK home and motor insurance, during a period of significant developments in the sector from both regulation and innovation. -
As part of the Behavioural Science Series, David Rooke will explore the leadership capacities and capabilities that may enable actuaries to successfully navigate the challenges of our times. He will discuss how actuaries can apply these principles to ensure the profession succeeds, flourishes, and plays a positive societal role in our global community.
Following his presentation, David Rooke will be joined by Stephen Mann, CEO at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and Anusha Thavarajah, Allianz’s Regional Chief Executive Officer, Life and Health for Asia Pacific for a panel discussion around the themes of the session The panel will be chaired by Tan Suee Chieh.
-
Asia Conference 2021 webinar series
Online webinar series26 July 2021 - 30 July 2021
We have made it through 2020 but the COVID-19 crisis continues to have a significant impact on individuals, societies, businesses and the wider economy across the globe. Navigating the world post COVID-19 in an uncertain and highly unstable time brings along many uncertainties, challenges and exciting opportunities. Hence the theme of this year’s IFoA Asia Conference Webinar Series is “Risk. Adapt. Thrive.” -
Internal audit is often the Cinderella of the audit world. It’s a regulatory requirement for insurance companies to have an internal audit function, so why not make it as useful as possible? This session will look at how to link an internal audit plan to the risk register, and how that helps audit committees and boards to spot problems and fix them.
Welcome to the programme for our 2nd Virtual Pensions Conference. This year's conference features 11 webinars offering members and non-members the opportunity to get up to date content from leading experts in the pension industry. There will also be opportunity to ask questions and contribute to the discussion.
Mathematical Futures: The Actuary in a World Transformed – Sir Adrian Smith will outline how advances in data science, machine learning and artificial intelligence in the world of big data will transform the nature of many industries, including financial services. The broader environment within which mathematics is applied will change rapidly, often led by innovative yet disruptive forces outside. These changes will undoubtedly have an impact on the work of actuaries - and the profession will need to adapt quickly to thrive.
This session will explore how the new index has revealed previously uncaptured mortality inequalities by using predictive variables at a high degree of granularity. Globally renowned leader in actuarial science Professor Andrew Cairns and his co-investigator Torsten Kleinow will demonstrate the uses of new LIFE index such as the causes of high or low mortality and regional differences in mortality.
Dr Patrick Sun Cheong Poon, lead sponsor of the 
The world is changing. The fourth industrial revolution, globalisation and the COVID-19 pandemic are up-ending traditional social and business norms around the world; changes that were once predictable and steady are now faster and more profound.
This is a free webinar on the consultation on changes to the Practising Certificates (PC) Scheme.
Actuaries in all practice areas have had an “alert” to consider climate risk. A plethora of scenarios and tools are being developed both internally and as part of industry-wide initiatives but is there yet a sense of good practice?
The paper “Asset liability modelling in the quantum era” shall be presented by its authors, Tim Berry and James Sharpe, and chaired by Andrew Smith, Assistant Professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics at University College Dublin.
The elements of climate change that influence and impact on health & care, both in terms of the direct and indirect impact on mortality and morbidity, and the sustainability of healthcare globally are many.
The IFoA’s Actuarial Review Team will publish its second thematic review in June 2021. The review is looking at the involvement of actuaries in the pricing of UK home and motor insurance, during a period of significant developments in the sector from both regulation and innovation.
We have made it through 2020 but the COVID-19 crisis continues to have a significant impact on individuals, societies, businesses and the wider economy across the globe. Navigating the world post COVID-19 in an uncertain and highly unstable time brings along many uncertainties, challenges and exciting opportunities. Hence the theme of this year’s IFoA Asia Conference Webinar Series is “Risk. Adapt. Thrive.”