Avsnitt
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Will shares his unique journey from being a Pensions Actuary in the UK to becoming Head of Investment Strategy in Hong Kong, Head of Sales Operations in Thailand, as well as being an advocate for teaching children about money.
We explore everything from how Will discovered the actuarial profession, transitioning from pensions to investment consulting, relocating with his family from London to Hong Kong, taking some time out of the corporate world and becoming a financial wellbeing advocate & author!
We of course discuss his fantastic best-selling book “Grandpa’s Fortune Fables.” It’s a fantastic way to help children to develop a healthy relationship with money from an early stage, and there is plenty in there for grown-ups too. I’m a couple of chapters in with my 6 year old!
I hope you enjoy the conversation! (And apologies for the audio quality, it dips from around 20mins onwards but is well-worth sticking with :) )
Will's website: https://www.bluetreesavings.com/
Will’s book is available is many good book shops and on amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/6jZfFLq
Please connect with Will here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-rainey-bluetree/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Julian is a Senior Actuarial Consultant and rectification specialist at Capita.
We discuss everything from his journey into the profession with a degree in English Literature, working at consultancies of different sizes, becoming an industry expert in rectifications & GMP equalisation, the importance of building strong technical knowledge early in an actuarial career, Julian’s approach to interviewing people for his team, and his views on the future of pensions.
Julian also shares his perspective on neurodivergence in the workplace, having been diagnosed with ADHD and Autism quite recently. He shares how these traits have shaped his approach to work, highlighting both the challenges and advantages they bring.
It was a pleasure to get to know Julian and I hope you enjoy the conversation!
01:30 Julian’s history
13:00 What he does now
18:30 His views on pensions
24:00 Neurodivergence
42:30 Final thoughts
Here is the link to the video I mention during the podcast, in which Julian shares more about his experiences with neurodivergence: https://capita.wistia.com/medias/nj9kxxbs2u
Please connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-tolan-fia-96204a15/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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Catrin is a Qualified Actuary, Motor Pricing Manager and Author!
Catrin is so passionate about the actuarial profession, and this is a fantastic episode for aspiring actuaries, current actuaries, and anyone curious to learn more about what actuaries do. Catrin shares her views on how actuarial skills can be applied in many different ways, as well as providing insights into the world of insurance!
Starting with a brilliant example from World War II to illustrate how understanding risk can lead to better decision making, moving on to the importance of being able to quantify, manage and trade risk in enabling a functioning society, we then discuss everything from a day in the life of a pricing actuary, the different factors impacting your car insurance premiums, raising awareness & accessibility of the profession, and increasing diversity of thought in pricing teams.
We also chat about Catrin’s brilliant book – ‘A Risky Business: An Actuary’s Guide to Quantifying and Managing Risk in Society’ which is available to buy on Amazon. (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Risky-Business-Actuarys-Quantifying-Managing/dp/3031116720)
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Catrin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrin-townsend-608b44234/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Back when Actuarial People was just a concept, I said to John Harney ‘If I somehow make it to 50 episodes, I’ll be the guest and I’d love you to host!”
And here we are! This week John is asking the questions, and I genuinely had absolutely no idea what he was going to ask. It was such an interesting experience being on the other end of the conversation, and John was a fabulous host.
So if you’d like to find out a bit more about me, how I got here and my take on various aspects of actuarial careers, please have a listen and enjoy!!
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Bobby has over 30 years’ experience in the actuarial industry, and is Managing Director of HS Trustees.
Bobby shares his journey to date, from beginning his career in Life Insurance, transitioning to Investment Consulting and more recently becoming a Professional Trustee. We discuss everything from how he discovered the actuarial profession, memories of interviewing at various stages of his career, his approach to the exams, becoming a people manager, growing teams & business areas, and becoming a confident presenter.
Bobby is the first Professional Trustee I have spoken with on the show, and he gives a great account of what his work involves which may be helpful for anyone thinking of going in this direction in the future.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Bobby here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riddawayconsulting/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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John is a Partner at Aon, where he leads the Corporate Consulting business across the UK. John is responsible for a team of over 100 people as well as being a lead consultant for a number of corporate clients.
We explore everything from how John entered the actuarial profession as a summer intern, his experience with the exams, starting in a mixed trustee/corporate consulting role, his involvement in setting up a specialist valuations team, transitioning to become a corporate specialist, and becoming a Partner.
John shares his experience of moving into people management & leadership, and how he helps people at key stages of their careers. John also shares his views on the future of the pensions industry, and his keen interest in developing ways to support part-time colleagues in a different way, to help with their longer term development.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with John here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hardern-65232b36/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Kelly is a Leadership Coach, a Wellbeing Researcher and her background includes being a Qualified Actuary in the pensions field.
We explore Kelly’s journey to date, including how and why she became an Actuary, moving from a consulting environment to an in-house pensions team, her leadership & people management experience, and her decision to move away from an actuarial role to set up her coaching business.
We then explore coaching in more detail, including how people at all levels can benefit from working with a coach, the different areas Kelly coaches people on, a closer look at what the coaching process involves, and the importance of identifying your own individual values, strengths & areas of interest.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Kelly here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-esther-davies/
You can find out more about ATEB Coaching by visiting the website: Home | Ateb Coaching
Kelly also writes a blog called 'Time for You', a weekly quick dose of inspiration with a quote, a question, and a recommendation to help you pause and reflect: Time
for You | Ateb Coaching
Please note these are not 'affiliate links' :)
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Neel is an Associate Director at WTW, working in the Retirement Team.
Neel began his actuarial career in Kenya before moving to the UK. We discuss everything from how he discovered the actuarial profession, securing his first role, progression quickly into a management position and his reasons for seeking a move to the UK. We explore some of the differences between working in pensions consulting in Kenya vs London, his experiencing of interviewing for UK roles and why he chose to join WTW.
Neel also shares his views on the importance of finding the right balance between work, the actuarial exams and personal life during the early stages of his career.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Emma is an Associate Partner at Aon and leads the Bristol Trustee Retirement Team.
We discuss everything from how she discovered the actuarial profession existed, why she chose to work in pensions consulting, understanding the role of a pensions actuary, and how her role evolved over time. Emma shares her experiences of seeking opportunities and stepping out of her comfort zone, and how some of these opportunities influenced her career development.
Emma also shares her experience of going on maternity leave twice, finding the right work-life balance, all whilst going through promotion processes and taking on people leadership responsibility.
I loved getting to know Emma, she is incredibly impressive and I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Emma here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-moore-63399713a/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Steve is an Actuary & Corporate Consultant at First Actuarial, based in Manchester.
Steve shares his journey into the actuarial profession, discussing his experiences, challenges, and insights gained over 20 years in the industry. We explore how his role has evolved over time, including becoming a Scheme Actuary before specialising in corporate advice, with a particular emphasis on finding enjoyment & fulfilment in each role rather than focusing on job titles.
Steve also offers advice to graduates and young professionals, including his thoughts on what to look for during the interview process, embracing every opportunity which comes your way, and sharing his views of the future of the profession.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Steve here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdeverellsmith/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Niraj is an Investment Analyst at LCP. He shares his journey into the actuarial profession, his experience of studying and working during the pandemic, beginning his career in pensions consulting and transitioning to investment consulting.
Niraj shares his insights on balancing work, study, and personal life, encouraging early career professionals to prioritise their well-being alongside their ambitions. We learn some of the differences and similarities between working in pensions and investments, and how his career has progressed to date.
Niraj also touches on his journey of unmasking and being his authentic self, which has influenced his perspective on career progression and personal development. I'd highly recommend following his LinkedIn posts and blog, which focus on topics related to his own lived experiences.
Please connect with Niraj here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niraj-shah-aia-a9783317b/
It was a pleasure to get to know him, hope you enjoy the conversation!
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Andrea is a Partner at K3 Advisory, where she leads K3’s solutions for schemes moving through the buy-in phase of the transaction to ultimate buy-out. She also manages key relationships with insurers, reinsurers, K3’s business partners and trustees.
We explore how Andrea discovered the actuarial profession, and follow her career path which includes working for two consultancies, the PPF, the bulk annuity team of an insurance company and now K3 Advisory.
We discuss the differences between some of her key roles, the challenges and opportunities she encountered along the way, her experience of moving into a people management role, and her love of specialising in the bulk annuity market.
I hope you enjoy the episode!
Please connect with Andrea here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-mendham-6976a762/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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The Actuarial People podcast returns this week, and I'm delighted to be joined by Grace Holtom!
Grace is an Associate and Senior Consulting Actuary at Barnett Waddingham. As well as supporting Scheme Actuaries and leading various projects, she also leads the development of BW’s Lloyds 3 offering, she is a people manager & mentor, and part of a group which oversees the South West actuarial teams in Bristol and Cheltenham.
We discuss everything from how she joined the profession, seeking her first role and her career progression to date.
Grace talks about the importance of people management and mentoring, as well as the unique approach to management at Barnet Waddingham. She highlights the focus on future development, training, and non-chargeable roles within the company. Grace also discusses the exams and the balance between work, study, and personal life.
She shares her experience of balancing work and motherhood, the challenges she faced returning to work after maternity leave, and the importance of building a supportive team. We also explore her involvement in the Lloyds 3 GMP equalization project and the evolving role of actuaries in the pensions industry.
I loved getting to know Grace, and I hope you enjoy the episode!
Please connect with Grace here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-holtom-56a06565/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Mark is the London Practice Leader & Head of GMP Equalisation at Buck, a Gallagher Company. He is an experienced People Leader, Scheme Actuary and a Council member at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
We discuss everything from how Mark initially entered the actuarial profession, beginning his first role with WTW in Reigate, gaining line management experience at an early stage, moving to PwC after 12 years to experience a different type of role, and then joining Buck in a Leadership role where he has gone from strength-to-strength.
Mark gives amazing insight to his love for the people side of actuarial teams. We learn about the concept of ‘locus of control’, how he helps people to avoid a career plateau a few years after qualifying, and the importance of creating an environment where people have open discussions about their careers. Mark also shares how he came to take a lead on setting up and running the GMP equalisation team, the breadth of skills you can develop working in this area, his views on the future of the pensions industry, and advice for anyone starting their actuarial career in pensions today.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!!
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Felicia is an ex-Life, Pensions & GI Actuary who is now a Wealth Coach in the field of Pensions, Property and Stock Market Investments.
We discuss everything from Felicia’s entry into the actuarial profession, working in Life, Pensions and General Insurance, how she balanced this with running her own property business, through to life after being an Actuary. Today, Felicia has set herself a goal of helping one million women to become financially independent through education, and empowering them to take control of their finances. She wants to normalise talking about money, savings, pensions and investment strategies and we explore how she is doing this via workshops, podcasts, Instagram and YouTube.
Felicia was wonderfully open and honest about her own life experiences, and how events in her life have provided the motivation and inspiration for what she does today.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Felicia here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicia-flinders-b1359618/
You can follow her Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/ff_women_wealth_creation/?hl=en
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Dhyan is an Actuarial Apprentice, working in the Pensions Team at WTW.
We discuss his entry into the actuarial profession, the application process for the apprenticeship and the different interview stages, joining the actuarial pensions team having initially applied for a role in insurance, and achieving his goal of joining the profession without studying at University.
Dhyan gives a great account of the experience he has gained so far, the challenges he has faced and the wide range of opportunities in front of him. He also shares his thoughts on additional qualifications, advice for other apprentices, making strong first impressions in interviews and gaining a deeper understanding of the work he does and the clients he works on.
Dhyan – thank you very much for sharing your journey, it’s really important to highlight opportunities to join the profession via apprenticeships and I hope this inspires others to do the same!
Please connect with Dhyan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhyan-trivedi/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Daryl is Head of Market & Liquidity Risk at Legal & General for the Retirement Institutional business. He looks after all elements of market risk which includes interest rates, inflation, FX and property risk.
We explore how Daryl entered the actuarial profession, how he transitioned from his first role in pensions to investment consulting, specialising in investment strategy and LDI, moving to the insurance company AXA in both the UK and the US, and ultimately joining L&G back in the UK. Daryl shares his views on the importance of gaining diverse experience and being open to variety, and how the role of an actuary might evolve in the future with the aid of data science and machine learning.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Daryl here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryl-boxall-21970a33/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Lisa is an Associate Partner in the Risk Settlement Group at Aon in Leeds, where she advises scheme Trustees and Sponsors on buy-ins and buyouts.
We discuss everything from how Lisa entered the actuarial profession after completing a Masters and PhD in Chemistry, beginning her career in pensions consulting with PwC, transitioning from consulting to Insurance with Aviva as a Deal Manager, and then returning to consulting with Aon 4 years later.
Lisa also leads the Wellbeing Team within the Risk Settlement Group, and it was really interesting to hear about her role in providing wellbeing support to over 90 people and how she is promoting work-life balance.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Lisa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-varley-b1000858/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Emily has recently celebrated her 25 year anniversary at WTW, where she is a Scheme Actuary, a Relationship Manager for Independent Trustees, a People Manager and company nominated Trustee for one the company pension schemes.
Emily shares her journey in the actuarial profession, from discovering the profession to qualifying, and the importance of being open to new opportunities and taking on challenges. Emily discusses her passion for supporting female talent and promoting diversity and inclusion in the industry. We discuss her experience with imposter syndrome and how she has learned to manage it, and how she helps others by letting them know they are not alone in feeling this way. Emily also highlights the need for more open discussions about the impact of menopause in the workplace and the importance of creating a safe space for colleagues to share their experiences. She also shares her passion for promoting neurodiversity in the workplace and the value of embracing different perspectives.
I loved speaking with Emily, finding out why she loves working in Reigate and how she has found her ideal balance both in and out of the office.
I hope you enjoy the conversation!
Please connect with Emily here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-nichols-8407a84b/
Feel free to connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescturner/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
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Cian is currently a Reinsurance Pricing Actuary at MS Amlin.
He is responsible reinsurance pricing across all business lines, with a main focus on Property Catastrophe and Casualty Treaty.
We discuss everything including how he entered the actuarial profession, why he chose a career in General Insurance, Cian’s experience of working for consultancies, insurance companies and brokers, and his view on the differences between specialising in reserving, capital modelling and pricing.
He also offers some great advice for anyone beginning their career in general insurance today!
Please connect with Cian here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cian-creedon-ab89183a/
Mentioned in this episode:
Actuarial People is sponsored by my recruitment company Turner Perkins. I specialise in helping pensions actuarial professionals across all experience levels with their career moves. Please visit https://turnerperkins.com or email [email protected] to arrange a confidential conversation!
TP Website
- Visa fler
