News IFoA NEWS UPDATES FROM THE ACTUARIAL PROFESSION
Upfront Opinion CEO’s comment Derek Cribb looks ahead to the benefits that the third year of the IFoA’s strategy will bring
Landing the strategy Derek Cribb is the chief executive of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
As we come to the end of the financial year, I find myself looking ahead to what’s in store for the IFoA. In the third year of delivering on our strategy, we will really start to see some of our most important projects and priorities come to fruition. Later this year, we will be running the first Certified Actuarial Analyst exams, our new professional qualification and membership category for professionals in technical roles. This initiative will facilitate the development of the profession globally. We will also be introducing phase one of our new website, which via improved content and functionality will better meet our members’ needs, providing a single, valuable touch point for access to the IFoA. e We will be making more CPD learning material available online, with the launch on the virtual learning environment later in the year. In addition, we will be launching the Quality Assurance Scheme, which will help us to support employers in ensuring that their staff demonstrate an appropriate level of regulatory competence, meeting their individual requirements and providing greater client assurance. These developments will take place against a backdrop of improving our ‘business as usual’ activity. More students are taking our exams and we will maintain the high standard of service they receive, sourcing more exam centres, improving the assessment process and streamlining the support we provide wherever they are based. At our flagship events and conferences, members will benefit from the same high-quality content with improved technology and visuals. And we will carry on raising the profile of the profession through our public affairs activity. All of our work is undertaken in partnership with thousands of our volunteer members, whose dedication and expertise we rely on to deliver what the actuarial profession needs to remain relevant around the world. This promises to be a busy and exciting year for the IFoA, and if you want to get involved and make a difference to your profession – through research, education or special projects – we would be delighted to hear from you. Email debbie.atkins@actuaries.org.uk to register your interest or for details of current opportunities.
DEREK CRIBB
10
VIP launch On 24 January, the IFoA launched its exciting new volunteer induction pack (VIP). Created in response to member feedback, the VIP is a new online resource that provides information and support and, for the first time, gathers together all the information available to volunteers in one place on the members’ section of our website (www.actuaries.org.uk/members/pages/ volunteer-induction-pack-vip). Within this pack please look out for a letter from the president and the chief executive of the IFoA. Whether you are thinking of getting involved in a volunteer role for the first time, or are an experienced participant iin IFoA activity, we hope y will find the VIP you useful and worthwhile. We look forward to hearing what you think. To request a hard copy of the introductory booklet, please contact Debbie Atkins, head of volunteer engagement. Email debbie.atkins@ actuaries.org.uk
Letters from America The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that the president of the American Academy of Actuaries, Tom Terry, led last month’s Contingencies magazine (www.contingencies. org) with the news that the IFoA is launching the Certified Actuarial Analyst (CAA) qualification this year; the headline – ‘Keeping up with the Brits’. We see the CAA as an internationally recognised qualification that applies actuarial science to technical roles, professionalising and regulating individuals. In so doing, the qualification benefits the career of the individual, the reputation of employers and – by improving professional standards – also benefits the public at large. So it was nice to note that Tom sees this too. In his own words: “So, my thanks to our good friends in the UK. Your new initiative will resonate with many here in the United States. It does with me.” www.contingenciesonline.com/contingencies online/20140102#pg1
THE ACTUARY • March 2014 www.theactuary.com
p10_13_mar_ifoa_news_FINAL•CT.indd 10
25/02/2014 11:17