January 2024
CAA ARTICLE
www.caribbeanactuaries.com
by John Robinson, FSA, FCA, MAA
John Robinson, FSA, FCA, MAAA Past President SOA, Hon. Member CAA
Introduction In my initial ambassadorial role as Past President of the Society of Actuaries (SOA), I was honoured to represent the SOA at the Caribbean Actuarial Association's (CAA) Annual Meeting, held from November 29 to December 1, 2023, in Port of Spain, Trinidad. I will start with some background information before sharing my insights on selected sessions.
Introduction In my initial ambassadorial role as Past President of the Society of Actuaries (SOA), I was honoured to represent the SOA at the Caribbean Actuarial Association's (CAA) Annual Meeting, held from November 29 to December 1, 2023, in Port of Spain, Trinidad. I will start with some background information before sharing my insights on selected sessions. Background My actuarial career started in Jamaica in 1982. While there, the Jamaican actuarial community, under the informal but inspiring guidance of Daisy McFarlane-Coke, FIA 1970, would meet occasionally, officially every quarter, for networking. Following Daisy’s pioneering example, a number of bright mathematics students from the region accepted the challenge of becoming Fellows of esteemed bodies like the Institute of Actuaries (England), the Faculty of Actuaries (Scotland) or the Society of Actuaries (US). In 1991, the Caribbean Actuarial Association (CAA) was founded, with Daisy as one of its founding members. The association, now with 133 Fellows as members, is a Full Member of the IAA and is influential beyond its size. While Caribbean actuaries may carry the same designations as others, they represent a unique brand. This uniqueness is rooted in their deep understanding of the fundamental drivers of their smaller economies. In contrast, an actuary in the US might spend a career focused on Variable Annuities, with limited interest in, or understanding of, key drivers outside of their specific domain. Although I left Jamaica in 1985, I have maintained contact with my Caribbean actuarial family. My election as SOA president-elect in 2021 has been, and continues to be, a great source of pride for the CAA and its members. During the 2022 CAA Annual Meeting in Barbados, which I attended as SOA President, I was honoured to be made an Honorary Member of the CAA.
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