Creating connections
Bringing actuaries together to build connections and share knowledge
IFoA members connected with peers and industry professionals on an international scale. Flagship conferences, research from practice boards and working parties, and engaging discussions on IFoA Communities, all fostered closer relationships and collaboration.
IFoA conferences
It was a year of firsts for the IFoA events calendar in 2024
We had inaugural conferences in India and the Middle East, and for the first time in IFoA history our AGM was broadcast live from outside the UK.
These events created an opportunity to engage with members across a range of locations, fostering closer collaboration across the IFoA, against the backdrop of cutting-edge conversation. We saw recurring themes throughout these landmark conferences, with AI, climate change and pensions high on the agendas.
In May, the inaugural IFoA Middle East Conference took place, split across Riyadh and Dubai. At a time when the influence of actuaries is growing across the region, this event brought together industry leaders and experts to explore current challenges and find out what the future holds for the profession. Delegates praised the conference and reported highest interest in the CEO panel as well as sessions on Solvency II, machine learning and pensions.
Zahra Ahmed, IFoA student and senior manager – pricing intelligence, Bupa Arabia
The first IFoA Middle East Conference marked an important step forward. Although the IFoA has had a presence in the region for some time, the conference helped strengthen connections and open up more dynamic communication. It was a great opportunity to notice the profession’s development and build lasting relationships across the region.
At our first IFoA India Conference in New Delhi, we were joined by 493 attendees and 59 speakers across three days. Attendees engaged with topics including AI and climate risk, all within the theme ‘actuaries of the future’. A highlight of the conference was the grand finale of the Actuarial Innovation Challenge 2024. The challenge encouraged university students from across India to develop innovative insurance solutions for disadvantaged communities, blending creativity with technical expertise.
With a focus on the future, the theme for the IFoA Asia Conference was ‘tomorrow’s actuarial science: emerging trends and technologies’. This conference, held in Guangzhou, China, was a platform for knowledge exchange and networking within the actuarial and related industries. It was also the location of the IFoA’s 2024 AGM.
In the UK, we saw a record year for GIRO with 1,023 attendees. They joined us in Birmingham to discuss some of the key challenges and opportunities faced by general insurance actuaries today. The conference culminated in a plenary with Helen Sharman CMG OBE, the first Briton in space. The annual IFoA Life Conference had over 150 expert speakers exploring innovative solutions, best practices, and case studies on hot topics including AI and climate change.
Ruoqi Wang, IFoA Fellow and senior manager, Bolttech insurance company
The 2024 IFoA Asia Conference was an excellent opportunity to engage with experts across the region. The conference offered valuable insights into the evolving landscape of the actuarial profession. The diverse and distinguished speakers provided a comprehensive understanding of key trends.
Setor Logo, IFoA Fellow and Director, Hong Kong and High Net Worth Markets, Reinsurance Group of America
I really enjoyed being at the Asia conference and attending sessions on a wide range of topics relevant to actuarial practice. It was great to get different perspectives from expert speakers and consider new ways of thinking. I also found it a valuable way to keep up with progress in fast moving areas like AI and financial solutions for ageing societies.
Suruchi Bhargava, IFoA India Conference 2024 Organising Committee Member
It was a privilege to be part of the organising committee for the 2024 IFoA India Conference. The event, themed ‘actuaries of the future’, brought together a rich diversity of perspectives with some great insightful discussions on critical topics. Overall, the experience of connecting with professionals practising in multiple domains globally was truly thought provoking. I’m excited to carry this momentum forward as we look ahead to the 2025 India conference in December.
Practice board highlights
For more information about the work of our practice boards, follow these links to:
A guide for public healthcare organisations to engage with actuaries
Parameterising capital modelling volatility: allowing for changes in volume
Portfolio alignment metrics: What are they and how are they used in net zero investing?
Read about several examples of members at the forefront of policymaking in ‘Shaping policy’
Our volunteers continued to give back to the actuarial community
Just under 300 volunteers give their time to work on the practice boards and research and lifelong learning committees. The practice boards also support 87 active working parties conducting research for members. Below are just a few highlights for 2024-25:
Over 60 webinars, one in-person symposium, and two conferences were held, with 15,000+ registrations. There was strong engagement across diverse themes, including investment and asset management, professional development, machine learning and generative AI, current issues in pensions, climate risk and ESG.
A number of working parties in a range of practice areas focused on the use of AI or data science in insurance. We introduced a chairs forum for AI/data science and another for sustainability to support collaboration in these important cross practice areas.
In the health and care space, the Social Care Working Party led on the IFoA response to the Commons Health and Social Care Committee inquiry: ‘Adult Social Care Reform: The Cost of Inaction’. Elsewhere, the Population Health Management Working Party produced the IFoA response to the Department of Health and Social Care’s ‘Change NHS’ consultation and produced the report ‘A guide for public healthcare organisations to engage with actuaries’.
The General Insurance Board had a particularly successful year for research, tripling the numbers of Brian Hey Prize submissions. Neil Gedalla, Adam Smylie and Jade Lagrue won the prize for their paper ‘Parameterising capital modelling volatility: allowing for changes in volume’. Two groups were also highly commended: the Claims Inflation Working Party and Federated Learning Working Party.
The Pensions Gap Working Party modelled the impact pensions gaps have on savings and how people can lose out. Our report ‘How much could you lose?’ sets out these calculations, and provides recommendations for savers, employers and government to make sure workers can maximise their pension savings. Via stakeholder roundtables with employers and IFoA leadership, the Pensions Board discussed the future of pensions actuarial work.
In sustainability, the Net Zero and the Implications for Investment Portfolios Working Party produced ‘Portfolio alignment metrics: What are they and how are they used in net zero investing?’. To showcase actuarial careers in sustainability, the Early Careers Board initiative was launched, which developed a blog, video and podcast series.
Pragya Kanodia, IFoA Fellow and Mentor for IFoA Mentoring Scheme
Volunteering is a chance to give back to the actuarial community, which has significantly contributed to my professional growth. It offers the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded people, share knowledge and influence the future of the profession.
Thrinayani Ramakrishnan, IFoA Student and member of the Sustainability Board
Volunteering has led to enjoyable and insightful experiences, and been a wonderful way to meet friends, mentors and experts. It exposes you to diversity of thought, which encourages innovation and adds value.
Jennifer Stott, IFoA Fellow and Chair, Sustainability Board
Volunteering has allowed me to grow my own skills, learn from others and share my professional expertise. I like the opportunity to connect with so many excellent actuaries, and contribute to important areas of work that go beyond my day-to-day job. I recommend volunteering to any IFoA members who are interested. It really is an excellent way to build your professional network whilst contributing your knowledge for wider public benefit.
IFoA Communities
Two years on from its launch, IFoA communities now has over 5,000 members
IFoA Communities brings members together in a place where they can share expertise, lead open discussions, and connect with others in the actuarial community.
Between 1 March 2024 and 28 February 2025, there were 1,689 new members and 1,383 new pieces of content in the form of blog posts, events, forum replies and more. There were 16 live discussions, which totalled 283 attendees, and 6,551 interactions across the platform. As of 25 March 2025, IFoA communities now has 5,542 members, with most based in the UK and India.
Over the past 12 months, IFoA communities members have enjoyed live discussions, informal discussions on IFoA thought leadership think pieces, 'Spotlight on Life Research', which showcased current and future working party research led by the Life Board, and all things CPD.
Mike Clark, IFoA Fellow and Founder Director, Ario Advisory
I love IFoA Communities! With most of my work addressing climate change and the two types of systemic risk (financial and societal), I have found it an invaluable place to discuss key issues with fellow actuaries. We need more discussion, more gracious disagreement, to make progress. And the new app makes all this even easier!
Women actuaries
As well as the topic-based community groups, there is now also a Women Actuaries Committee and community, to provide opportunities for networking and supporting members. This has included hosting women’s breakfast briefings at IFoA conferences last year.
The Committee held a hybrid International Women’s Day event in March 2025, and is busy planning events for the future, including a 2025 summer event, a webinar on neurodiversity and further networking opportunities at IFoA conferences.
Clara Hughes, IFoA Fellow and Chair, IFoA Women Actuaries Committee
The Women Actuaries Community aims to foster inclusivity and empowerment in the profession for women and allies. We have hosted regular events internationally to facilitate networking and promote connection. The IFoA Communities platform is a great way to interact with peers from across the world, to share knowledge, discover research, and to find out about the latest activities and events.
Next page: Shaping Policy