Playing our part
Widening access to the profession and stepping up to meet net zero
The Women Actuaries Community is thriving, and our work experience programme has expanded into Scotland
The Women Actuaries Community (WAC) had another productive year hosting webinars, networking opportunities and in-person events at Staple Inn. These offer a way for women actuaries to support each other at all career stages, create a more diverse profession, and celebrate each other’s successes.
At a global neurodiversity webinar in October, 150 guests heard personal stories, professional insights, and practical advice on how neurodiversity can be a powerful asset in analytical and problem-solving roles.
Another highlight was the ‘Cultivating careers’ event in June, which spotlighted career transitions within the actuarial field to over 70 attendees. A special moment was celebrating trailblazer Jane Curtis FIA C.Act, who was awarded the prestigious Finlaison Medal for her outstanding contribution to the actuarial profession through her remarkable volunteer work in the public interest.
In a testament to the community’s achievements, the WAC Committee came highly commended in the ‘Team Excellence’ category at the inaugural IFoA Volunteer Recognition Awards in February.
The awards recognised excellence across the profession, and many were won by women actuaries. ‘Volunteer of the Year’ was awarded to WAC founder Clara Hughes FIA C.Act, and ‘First Time Volunteer’ to student member Leigh Costanza, with Anoushka Kothari FIA C.Act highly commended in the same category. Helena Ingram FIA C.Act came highly commended in the Team Excellence award.
Rhian Price FIA and Uzma Nazir FIA C.Act, Co-Chairs of the Women Actuaries Community Committee
By bringing people together to talk about shared experiences, we can make change in a positive and comfortable way. Small changes can have a large ripple effect. Our allies play a critical role in that process, helping to create momentum and ensuring change is shared and sustained across the profession.
Rhian Price FIA and Uzma Nazir FIA C.Act
Clara Hughes FIA C.Act shares plans for the Women Actuaries Community | Listen to the podcast
In Edinburgh, 25 young people received paid actuarial work experience in another impactful round of the ‘Actuaries: Data Driven Futures’ programme. In partnership with the EY Foundation and actuarial employers, the programme supports students who face barriers to employment. Its expansion into Edinburgh built on initial success in London and marks a significant step in the IFoA’s ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive and accessible profession.
We established the Inclusion and Access Committee, led by Council, to ensure members are at the forefront of our long-term planning.
The newly formed committee champions involvement from members on inclusion and access, particularly when it comes to the member experience and opportunities for the wider actuarial profession.
In response to member feedback during a roundtable on recruiting and retaining female actuaries, we built a career breaks area on our website. It supports members undergoing all forms of career breaks, offering access to the information and resources they need to re-enter the workplace with confidence.
Jane Braithwaite, Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University and Scottish Board member
Supporting the ‘Actuaries: Data Driven Futures’ programme was a hugely rewarding experience. It was inspiring to see young people gain confidence, skills and real insight into actuarial careers, while also knowing the initiative is helping to widen access to the profession. This programme is a practical example of how the IFoA’s DEI strategy translates into real opportunities. By supporting young people from diverse backgrounds, we’re helping to build a profession that is more inclusive and better equipped to tackle the complex challenges of a changing world. I’m delighted the programme will continue in both Edinburgh and London, strengthening our collective commitment to building a profession that is genuinely inclusive and accessible.
Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash
Net zero developments
We implemented our net zero procurement strategy
We have enhanced our data collection methods and quality of data to encompass as much of Scope 3 as possible, using a more granular method. We are also working on enhancing our data collection methods for in-person exams.
During 2025, we worked on our action plan and strategy. Our net zero procurement approach has been enhanced and implemented, as our third-party suppliers are a large proportion of our Scope 3 emissions. This revised procurement approach will encourage our suppliers to also reduce their emissions.
In 2026 we will be reviewing our progress against net zero to date, refreshing our action plan, and reviewing our targets to assess what a realistic timeline might now look like.
