Our global community
Our members continue to play a vital role in strengthening the profession
This year marked a new chapter in how we recognise volunteers across the globe for the contributions they make to the IFoA, the actuarial profession, and wider society.
Practice board highlights
We have around 170 volunteers contributing their time to practice boards and research sub-committees, and roughly 720 working party volunteers across 75 working parties
IFoA practice boards and working parties have continued to lead the way with research and thought leadership on topics across the actuarial profession and wider society.
They have contributed to policy discussions, shaped debates, and striven to ensure actuaries are equipped with the skills needed to navigate an evolving actuarial landscape.
Here are some of the highlights:
We marked a significant milestone with the launch of the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Practice Board. This is a member-led initiative developed in partnership between IFoA Council and the IFoA AI and Data Science Community. The new practice board provides leadership in this emerging field as members investigate the impact of AI, data science and new technologies on actuarial practice and society.
The Pensions Board has had a year marked by significant policy influence, strengthened strategic positioning and renewed focus on member value. Core activities included shaping debates across pensions adequacy, CDC development, pensions investment and guided retirement, as well as advocating for the profession as the Pension Schemes Bill progressed into law.
The Life Board played a key role in helping to shape the IFoA’s AI vision from a life insurance perspective, exploring how actuarial work will evolve in a changing technological landscape. The Health and Care Board made significant policy contributions, responding to consultations on NHS change, adult social care reform, and international health system transformation.
The General Insurance Board strengthened its impact through high quality professional learning and by shaping key policy debates. This included major consultations on financial services, the Ogden Rate and captive insurance. It also pushed for earlier, more practical GI content in the curriculum to ensure education keeps pace with industry needs.
The Risk Management Board produced a wide portfolio of lifelong learning content for members, strengthening the profession’s ability to respond to complex, rapidly emerging risks. The Finance and Investment Board delivered more than seven Lifelong Learning Committee events across the year.
The Sustainability Board played a pivotal role positioning the IFoA as a leading voice on climate and sustainability issues, and strengthened its focus on equipping actuaries with the knowledge and tools required to integrate sustainability into their work.
Yuan Tian FIA C.Act, Co-chair, IFoA GI Asia International Working Party
Volunteering with the IFoA GI Asia International Working Party has given me the opportunity to collaborate with actuaries across APAC and the UK. The diverse perspectives and collaborative spirit are a source of inspiration.
John Ng FIA C.Act, BA, BPharm, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Practice Board Deputy Chair
The Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Practice Board’s focus on AI, data science and emerging technologies empowers our members with the skills and insights they need to navigate – and shape – the next era of actuarial work.
Volunteering
Input from volunteers helps ensure our profession remains sustainable, influential and sought after as a career and as a source of insight
Volunteer Recognition Awards
Volunteers freely give their time and expertise to the IFoA. They are an invaluable part of our work and the wider actuarial community.
In 2025 we were delighted to announce a new annual celebration of our volunteers to recognise the outstanding contributions and achievements they make, around the world and across practice areas.
Four award categories were introduced for the inaugural Volunteer Recognition Awards event, which was held on 11 February 2026, and a Highly Commended category was added due to the incredibly high calibre of nominations.
Winners:
Volunteer of the Year: Clara Hughes FIA
Member Impact: Social Care Working Party
Team Excellence: Continuous Mortality Investigation Mortality Projections Committee
First Time Volunteer: Leigh Costanza, IFoA student member
Highly Commended:
Volunteer of the Year: Charchit Agrawal FIA C.Act
Member Impact: Helena Ingram FIA C.Act
Team Excellence: Scottish Board and Women Actuaries Community Committee
First Time Volunteer: Anoushka Kothari FIA C.Act
Why our members value volunteering for the IFoA
The Finlaison Medal is awarded in recognition of service to the actuarial profession in fulfilling the responsibilities laid out in our Royal Charter, beyond that which would normally be expected of an ordinary member. Our recipients in 2025, were IFoA Fellows Charles Cowling FIA C.Act and Jane Curtis FIA C.Act.
Charles Cowling receiving the Finlaison Medal
Charles Cowling FIA C.Act, Past President of the International Actuarial Association
I am honoured to receive a Finlaison Award from the IFoA. What success I’ve had in my career has been hugely supported by my many years as a volunteer. There are great benefits to volunteering – you meet a range of actuaries with an incredible diversity of views and ideas; and most importantly, it’s great fun.
Jane Curtis FIA C.Act, Past President of the IFoA
I am very proud to be part of the actuarial profession and have greatly enjoyed the volunteering roles I’ve undertaken over the years. I would encourage members to consider volunteering – you will benefit from sharing knowledge, growing your professional networks, and having the opportunity to explore different viewpoints which could challenge your thinking.
This year saw the launch of the IFoA mentoring programme – a member-driven, dedicated space where actuaries at all career stages, from newly qualified to mid-career and returning to work, can connect with peers and seasoned professionals to build meaningful, one-to-one mentoring relationships.
Mentors and mentees can ask for advice from the programme team, or use the specially-designed online platform to provide details of the support they are either looking for or have to offer.
Mentees are then matched with people who understand the particular challenges they are facing, and can select the mentor who best suits their needs.
These connections help to build knowledge, enhance personal and professional skills and take some of the stress out of career development.
Andy Cox FIA C.Act, IFoA Mentor
Being a mentor gives me the satisfaction of seeing mentees succeed in solving challenges and progress in their careers. It also gives me an understanding of the challenges faced by colleagues from different backgrounds and with less experience, which is invaluable in my day-to-day work. I can honestly say that mentoring does seem to be a win-win for both mentor and mentee.
Mentoring sessions
Magazine
The Actuary magazine is produced in collaboration with the member editor, eight volunteer feature editors, the IFoA and our publishing agency Redactive. They work together to ensure the magazine reflects the interests and priorities of our members and the wider actuarial profession.
This year’s issues included exclusive interviews with Baroness Helena Morrissey DBE, Lloyd’s Chief Actuary Emma Stewart and Pool Re Chief Executive Tom Clementi.
Special reports explored topics such as ageing populations, weight‑loss drugs and ocean health.
Members contributed to lively debate in the opinion section and stayed informed through regular news and updates.
Podcast
Now in its second year, The Actuary podcast continues to grow its audience. Each episode includes a more in-depth discussion with the magazine’s lead interviewee, a look at some of the thought leadership and policy work undertaken by our members and a segment hearing from members about their jobs, what interests them and what first drew them to the profession.
Video
The Actuary videos take a deep dive into the magazine features, bringing expert perspectives to life through focused visual content.
The Actuary website
Jan / Feb 2025
Mar / Apr 2025
May / Jun 2025
Jul / Aug 2025
Sep / Oct 2025
Nov / Dec 2025
the Actuary Podcast
the Actuary videos
Sze Won, IFoA Inequality of Climate Change Working Party Chair
Inequality harms everyone, even those who seem to benefit from it. Climate change will intensify these disparities and amplify their damaging effects on society. My thanks to The Actuary magazine for featuring this article and shining a light on this vital issue.
Edward Lovelock, IFoA Student and The Actuary student editor
The student section provides a platform where the next generation of actuaries can share their insights and add their voices to industry dialogue.
Being the student editor has allowed me to oversee sharing of ideas from younger writers that is on a par with our most experienced professionals.
