Actuaries are well placed to introduce data science techniques into their toolkits and organisations as we equip the profession for the future. This one-day conference builds on recent IFoA events and is a call to action for actuaries and students in all practice areas interested in this exciting topic.
The programme will include real-world case studies from across practice areas with a focus on practical applications that can be taken back to the office. Speakers will share their thoughts and experiences of setting up data science functions within organisations and, looking to the future, the event will also address how the role and domain of the actuary may evolve.
Case studies will be interactive and include group discussions, with full programme details to follow shortly.
The event is aimed at actuaries and students in all practice areas. The programme will include opportunities for networking and idea sharing with like-minded actuaries adopting – or aspiring to adopt – data science in actuarial fields.
Speakers
Alex Breeze (FIA, CERA) is a Data Scientist at Octo Telematics where he develops statistical models to analyse telematics data and to predict vehicle crashes and insurance claims. He previously worked as a pensions consultant for 7 years, qualifying as an actuary in 2013. He holds an MMath from the University of Oxford, and recently completed a Masters in Data Analytics from University College Dublin. Alex enjoys learning about machine learning techniques and technologies that enable him to put them into practice – his biggest challenge is finding enough hours in the day to keep up with the vast array of materials and rapidly developing possibilities. He would like to see the Profession taking a leading role in the field of Data Science across the financial sector, and is keen to contribute to that goal, especially by harnessing the potential of open source tools in a commercial setting. He is also a member of the conference organising committee.
Ian Carey is a Director in KPMG’s UK actuarial practice where he has been leading an initiative for the past year exploring how actuaries can use data science techniques and tools to add value to actuarial work. At KPMG Ian has also been working on M&A transactions, capital optimisation and IFRS17. Prior to KPMG, Ian spent 6 years as Director of Group Capital Management at Prudential plc, with various investment banking, actuarial consulting and industry roles prior to that (with 25 years experience in total).
Siobhain O'Mahony is currently the Head of Analytics for Investec Private Bank South Africa. As such, she manages analytics as a shared service activity and serves as a cross-functional strategist, collaborating across the management and executive teams to help shape coherent strategies and plans across all areas of the business. Her team oversees quantitative and qualitative analytics that includes research (market research, company research and industry research), as well as descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive analytics for sales and marketing, acquisitions, channel engagement, operations, product optimisation and development, Rewards and loyalty optimisation, pricing and profitability management and business case development and modelling.
Dr Rebecca Pope is a Clinical Neuroscientist and Lead Data Scientist who specialises in the use of artificial intelligence within healthcare and preventative medicine. Rebecca works within KPMG’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice. She is a well published academic and has written several scientific commentaries in the Guardian. More recently, Rebecca co-authored KPMG’s The Industrial Strategy: How the UK can win the Global AI race’, regarding NHS data, AI and public opinion and was an invited TEDx speaker regarding: How can AI help our NHS and should we be concerned? ; she also led the winning team in KPMG’s Global Healthcare Hackathon.
Martin Tynan is a Data Scientist at Octo Telematics, working alongside actuaries to investigate and develop cutting-edge statistical models and bring value to clients. Martin is passionate about integrating computer science techniques and practices into an actuarial environment, and exploring machine learning and deep learning techniques to drive the creation of next-generation telematics models. Prior to Octo, Martin worked with the Usage Based Insurance team at Willis Towers Watson. Martin holds a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Warwick.
Event organiser
Contact Hannah Watson for more information.
Hannah.Watson@actuaries.org.uk
020 7632 2145
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
|
09.00-09.30 |
Registration |
| 09.30-09.40 |
Chair's Introduction Philip Darke, Mercer and Newcastle University |
| 09.40-10.20 |
Plenary 1 The ADAPT Centre (The Global Centre of Excellence for Digital Content and Media Innovation) is an Irish Government funded research centre based in Dublin and with more than 200 researchers across 4 universities. As well as conducting fundamental or basic research, ADAPT has an active applied research and innovation programme with Industry. Declan will describe this industry-focussed research programme, the recently launched FinTech Research initiative and specific considerations for the insurance industry. Declan McKibben, ADAPT |
| 10.20-11.00 |
Introduction to Case Study breakout session A chance for the speakers to pitch their case studies to the audience |
| 11.00-11.20 | Refreshments |
| 11.20-12.50 |
Case Study Discussions Delegates will have the opportunity to listen to three different case studies from the following:
|
| 12.50-13.50 | Lunch |
| 13.50-14.30 |
Building Trust in Big Data and Advanced Analytics – Getting the Business to Buy into your Vision The use of data and analytics to enhance decisions is not new or novel. The new frontier is exploiting and monetising data in a co-ordinated and organisation-wide manner to strategically advance competitive advantage. Realising this strategic opportunity requires mobilizing an organisation so as to understand and leverage the potential benefit that data offers. It requires tying three vital aspects together – the right people, the right operating model and the right technology – to create organisational alignment and a culture anchored by differentiated analytics. Siobhain O'Mahoney, Investec Private Banking |
| 14.30-15.10 |
Putting data science to work – a case study Creating a model is only part of the challenge of putting machine learning into practice in a commercial environment. Enabling team collaboration, a review process, and reproducible research are crucial to achieving sustainable benefits from a data science team. Open source software is a gold mine of opportunities, but also brings new risks. We share our experiences over the past year of introducing data science processes and open source software (R, Python, Git) into our workflow. Alexander Breeze and Martin Tynan, Octo Telematics |
| 15.10-15.30 | Refreshments |
| 15.30-16.10 |
Lessons from data science in Healthcare and their potential applications for insurers
Rebecca Pope and Ian Carey, KPMG |
| 16.10-17.20 |
The Future Actuary - Panel Debate Chair: Matt Saker, Aviva and IFoA Council Member Panellists: |
| 17.20-17.30 |
Chairs Closing Remarks Niall Fennelly |
Location
Address
Staple Inn Hall
High Holborn
London
WC1V 7QJ
Nearest Public Transport
Tube: Chancery Lane