Directory of actuarial employers - Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

2016/17
Directory
of actuarial
employers
Discover who’s hiring and what’s
on offer in the actuarial profession
www.actuaries.org.uk
Directory of actuarial employers
Thanks for picking up our directory.
We’ve put it together to showcase some
of the businesses you could work for as
an actuary and we’ve given some young
actuaries the chance to tell you what their
working life looks like from the inside.
What do actuaries do?
Actuaries are people who’ve turned their love of numbers
into a rewarding and challenging career. They are business
professionals who assess the financial impact of risk and
uncertainty. They have a deep understanding of finance and
business and model the world around them, evaluating the
likely impact of future events.
Their advice is essential to many industries, including banking
and investments, insurance, healthcare and pensions, where
a single decision can have a major financial impact or affect
the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. It’s a vital role
with a lot of responsibility. That’s why actuaries are so highly
regarded, sought after and rewarded.
2
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
What qualifications will you need?
You will need a good grade in A level or Scottish Higher
maths and usually a good degree in a numerate subject
such as mathematics, statistics, sciences or economics.
Once you’ve joined a firm, like one of those included in
this directory, you’ll continue to develop your skills and
knowledge and sit our professional exams. This usually
takes between three and six years.
Where to start
Work placements are invaluable if you are to gain a real
understanding of the role of an actuary in deciding whether
it’s the right career for you.
Some of the companies covered in the following pages
offer work placements so do get in touch with them to find
out how to apply. Or speak to your university or school
careers service.
Finally, you can get a head start by joining the Institute and
Faculty of Actuaries. We’ll keep you updated about the
industry and the opportunities as you begin your search.
Get in touch at 020 7632 2137 or
at [email protected]
www.actuaries.org.uk 3
Directory of actuarial employers
Consultancy
Directory of actuarial employers | Consultancy
*visa restictions may apply
Consultancy
Company
Aon
APR
Company
Barnett Waddingham
Xerox HR Services
Address
The Aon Centre, The Leadenhall
Building, 122 Leadenhall Street,
London, EC3V 4AN
Garden Studios, 71-75 Shelton Street
Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ
Address
Cheapside House, 138 Cheapside,
London, EC2V 6BW
160 Queen Victoria Street, London,
EC4V 4AN
Telephone
020 7776 2200
+44 (0)20 7429 1000
Telephone
+44 (0)20 7623 5500
01235 821 160
Website
www.barnett-waddingham.co.uk
www.xerox.co.uk/hrservices
Website
www.aonearlycareers.co.uk
www.aprllp.com
Type of business
Actuarial Consultancy
Type of business
Insurance, Reinsurance, Employee
Benefits, Human Capital Consulting,
Pensions, Investment
Life Insurance (some General
and Pensions)
HR Services including Pension and
Investment consulting
Contact name for
HR & applications
[email protected]
HR, [email protected]
Contact name for
HR & applications
[email protected] or
[email protected]
[email protected]
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
8-12
Up to 10
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
c.30
3-4
Application type
Online application
CV + Application Form
Application type
Online application
CV and covering letter
Closing date
31st October 2016
Closing date
Applications open in September
2016, we review applications on a
rolling basis so early applications
are strongly encouraged to avoid
disappointment.
Please see website
Applications open in September
2016. We review applications on a
rolling basis so early applications
are strongly encouraged to
avoid disappointment.
Locations
London, Ipswich,
Manchester, Edinburgh
Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh,
Epsom, Farnborough, Glasgow,
Leeds, London, Manchester,
St Albans
Central London and Edinburgh
London, Amersham, Leeds,
Liverpool, Cheltenham,
Bromsgrove, Glasgow
No. of Actuaries
130 qualified, 90 students
47 Students and 40 Actuaries
Internships
Yes
Occasionally
No. of Actuaries
c.350
c.20 (qualified and students)
Sandwich places
No
Occasionally
Internships
Yes
No
Work experience
Yes
Occasionally
Sandwich places
Yes
No
Apprenticeships
No
No
Work experience
Yes
Occasionally
Yes
Apprenticeships
Yes
No
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes. Candidates must possess a visa
allowing them to work unrestricted
in the UK.
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
Yes. Candidates must possess
a visa allowing them to work
unrestricted in the UK. We do
not sponsor visa applications.
Locations
6
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
www.actuaries.org.uk 7
Directory of actuarial employers | Consultancy
*visa restictions may apply
Consultancy
Company
Deloitte
EY
Company
First Actuarial LLP
Grant Thornton UK LLP
Address
Hill House, 1 Little New Street,
London, EC4A 3TR
UK headquarters: 1 More London
Place, London, SE1 2AF London
Address
Mayesbrook House, Lawnswood,
Business Park, Leeds, LS16 6QY
Grant Thornton UK LLP. 30 Finsbury
Square, London, EC2P 2YU
Telephone
020 7936 3000
+44 (0)800 289 208
Telephone
0161 348 7400
020 7383 5100
Website
www.deloitte.co.uk/graduates
ukcareers.ey.com/graduates
Website
www.firstactuarial.co.uk
www.grant-thornton.co.uk
Type of business
Pensions, Employee Benefits,
Investment, Life and Non-Life
Insurance and Analytics
Actuarial Services, Human Resource
Consulting
Type of business
Pensions and Investment
General Insurance, Life Insurance,
Pensions
Contact name for
HR & applications
Parm Nijjer
[email protected]
Please visit our website or call our
recruitment telephone number above.
Contact name for
HR & applications
Hilary Salt
[email protected]
Grant Thornton Trainee Recruitment
at [email protected]
Yes, see website for more details.
c.30
c.20
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
5 - 10
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
Application type
Online applications
Application type
Applications online via website
Applications online via website
Applications online via
www.graduates.grant-thornton.co.uk
Closing date
Rolling basis but apply early
We encourage early applications
Closing date
See website
Locations
Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh,
Glasgow, London, Leeds and
Manchester
London, Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh
Rolling basis from September for a
start date the following year. Please
apply early to avoid disappointment.
Locations
c.100 qualified, c.100 students
214 across the UK
Basingstoke, Leeds, Manchester,
Peterborough, Tonbridge
London
No. of Actuaries
Internships
Yes
Summer Internship Placement
No. of Actuaries
43 qualified, 46 students
16 qualified, 18 students
Sandwich places
No
Advisory Scholarship
Internships
Yes
Yes
Work experience
No
No
Sandwich places
No
No
Apprenticeships
No
No
Work experience
No
No
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
Yes
Apprenticeships
No
No
We consider
International
candidates*
No
Yes
8
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
www.actuaries.org.uk 9
Directory of actuarial employers | Consultancy
*visa restrictions may apply
Consultancy
&
Company
Hymans Robertson LLP
Jardine Lloyd Thompson
Company
Address
One London Wall, London,
EC2Y 5EA
The St Botolph Building, 138
Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AW
Address
Vale House, Roebuck Close,
Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey,
RH2 7RU
5th Floor, 110 Bishopsgate, London
EC2N 4AY
Telephone
020 7082 6000
020 7528 4444
Website
www.hymans.co.uk
www.jltgroup.com/group/careers
Telephone
01737 233 001
01737 309 181
Type of business
UK lifetime savings and protection,
including: pensions, employee
benefits, Investment and
Risk Management
Pensions, Employee Benefits,
Investment Consultancy
Website
www.justretirement.com
www.partnership.co.uk
Contact name for
HR & applications
Suzanne Coyle
Heather McCrae
[email protected]
HR Department, The St Botolph
Building, 138 Houndsditch,
London, EC3A 7AW
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
Graduate actuarial
vacancies
15-20 per year
See website
Application type
Application type
Online at www.hymans.co.uk
CV and covering letter
Closing date
See our website for details:
www.hymans.co.uk
See website
Locations
Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow,
London
Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Leeds,
London, Manchester, Orpington,
Solihull
No. of Actuaries
120 qualified and 130
trainees/students
82 qualified and 98 students/trainees
Internships
Yes
Occasionally
Sandwich places
Yes
No
Work experience
Yes, to students who are still
at school
Occasionally
Apprenticeships
No
No
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
No
10
Just Retirement Limited and Partnership Assurance Limited
Type of business
Contact name for
HR & applications
Life
[email protected]
Closing date
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
[email protected]
Variable
CV and covering letter
All year
Locations
Reigate, Redhill, London
No. of Actuaries
73 qualified, 54 students
Internships
No
Sandwich places
No
Work experience
Occasionally
Apprenticeships
No
We consider
International
candidates*
No
www.actuaries.org.uk 11
Directory of actuarial employers | Consultancy
*visa restrictions may apply
Consultancy
Company
KPMG LLP
Lane Clark & Peacock
Company
Milliman LLP
Punter Southall
Address
15 Canada Square, Canary Wharf,
London, E14 5GL
95 Wigmore Street, London,
W1U 1DQ
Address
11 Old Jewry, London, EC2R 8DU
11 Strand, London, WC2N 5HR
Telephone
0207 847 1500
01483 330 100
Telephone
020 7439 2266
Website
http://uk.milliman.com
www.puntersouthall.com
Website
www.kpmgcareers.co.uk
www.lcp.uk.com/careers/
graduate-opportunities/
Type of business
Actuarial Consultancy
Pensions
Type of business
Life, General, Pension, Investment
Actuarial consultancy
Contact name for
HR & applications
Tracey Newman
[email protected]
Jacqueline Weller
Recruitment Manager
Contact name for
HR & applications
Graduate Recruitment Team
[email protected]
Katrina Sewell
[email protected]
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
Check http://careers.milliman.com/
CurrentOpenings
6-8
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
Up to 40 annually
c.30
Application type
Check http://careers.milliman.com/
CurrentOpenings
CV and covering letter to
[email protected]
Application type
All Year
Online application form
Closing date
None
Friday 18 November 2016
Check http://careers.milliman.com/
CurrentOpenings
Friday 4 November 2016
Closing date
Locations
Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh,
Glasgow, Leeds, London,
Manchester, Reading
London and Winchester
Locations
London
Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh,
Guildford & Wokingham
No. of Actuaries
50
57 part-qualified and 83 qualified
No. of Actuaries
200+ in UK
145
Internships
Occasionally
Yes
Internships
Occasionally
Yes
Sandwich places
No
No
Sandwich places
Occasionally
No
Work experience
Occasionally
No
Work experience
Yes
No
Apprenticeships
No
No
Apprenticeships
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
We consider
International
candidates*
12
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
www.actuaries.org.uk 13
Directory of actuarial employers | Consultancy
*visa restrictions may apply
Consultancy
Company
PWC
Redington Ltd
Company
Willis Towers Watson
Xafinity
Address
7 More London Riverside, London,
SE1 2RT
Austin Friars House, 2-6 Austin
Friars, London, EC2N 2HD
Address
Willis Towers Watson, Watson
House, London Road, Reigate,
Surrey, RH2 9PQ
Head Office
Phoenix House, 1 Station Hill,
Reading, Berkshire, RG1 1NB
Telephone
0808 100 1500
020 7250 3331
Website
pwc.com/uk/work-in-actuarial
http://info.redington.co.uk/
graduates-and-undergraduates
Telephone
01737 284 966
0118 918 5477
Website
www.willistowerswatson.com/careers
www.xafinity.com
Type of business
Pensions, Insurance, Investment and
Software
Pensions and Employee Benefits
Consulting
Contact name for
HR & applications
Willis Towers Watson
University Team
Graduates.uk@willistowerswatson.
com
graduate.recruitment@xafinity
consulting.com
Type of business
Actuarial Services (Life Insurance,
General Insurance, Investments,
Banking, Non-Insurance, Analytics)
People and Organisation.
Redington is an independent and
employee-owned investment
consultant to pension funds and
other long term savings institutions.
Contact name for
HR & applications
Visit our website or call our
recruitment helpline above.
Human Resources
[email protected]
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
Graduate opportunities c. 48
Work experience c. 26
6-8
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
100 graduates, 60 interns
10-12
Application type
Apply online via our website
pwc.com/uk/careers
Online
Application type
Please apply online http://willistowers-watson.jobs.net/
See website for more details
www.xafinity.com/Careers/
Graduate-Actuarial-Recruitment
Closing date
Please see our website for further
details. Early application is advised
to avoid disappointment.
Please see website
Closing date
Please see website for more details
willis-towers-watson.jobs.net/
See website for more details
www.xafinity.com/Careers/
Graduate-Actuarial-Recruitment
London, Birmingham, Bristol,
Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester
and Reading
City of London
Locations
Bristol, Birmingham, Dublin,
Edinburgh, Leeds, London,
Manchester and Reigate
Belfast, Leeds, London, Manchester,
Reading, Stirling
No. of Actuaries
c. 200 qualified, 200 trainees (UK)
5 qualified and 7 students
Internships
Yes
6 week summer internship. As well as
penultimate students we encourage
1st year students to apply.
No. of Actuaries
462 qualified and 206 students (UK)
55 qualified and 50 students
Internships
Yes
No
Sandwich places
No
No
Work experience
No
No
Apprenticeships
Yes
No
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
No
Locations
Sandwich places
Yes
No
Work experience
Yes
No
Apprenticeships
No
No
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes - we welcome applications from
all candidates. Please check our
website for more information.
Yes
14
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
www.actuaries.org.uk 15
Directory of actuarial employers | Consultancy
Consultancy
Company
Mercer
Address
Tower Place West, London,
EC3R 5BU
Telephone
020 7178 5479
Website
ww.mercer.com/ukgrads
Type of business
Retirement, Investments,
Consultancy
Contact name for
HR & applications
Giovanna Miceli
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
c.20
Application type
Online application form
Closing date
See website
Locations
Nationally and in over 40 Countries
No. of Actuaries
c.350
Internships
c.30
Sandwich places
Yes
Work experience
Apprenticeships
Yes
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
*visa restrictions may apply
16
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
Directory of actuarial employers
Insurance
Directory of actuarial employers | Insurance
*visa restrictions may apply
Insurance
Company
Allianz Insurance Plc
Aon
Company
Aviva Plc
AXA
Address
Head Office: 57 Ladymead,
Guildford, GU1 1DB
London Office: 60 Gracechurch
Street, London, EC3V 0HR
The Aon Centre, The Leadenhall
Building, 122 Leadenhall Street,
London, EC3V 4AN
Address
5, Old Broad Street, London,
EC2N 1AD
Telephone
01483 552243
+44 (0)20 7623 5500
Website
www.allianz.co.uk
www.aonearlycareers.co.uk
Aviva Group
St Helens, 1 Undershaft, London,
EC3P 3DQ
Aviva UK & Ireland GI
Island Site, Surrey Street, Norwich,
NR1 3NG
Aviva UK & Ireland Life
Wellington Row, York, YO90 1WR
Type of business
General Insurance Company
Insurance, Reinsurance, Employee
Benefits, Human Capital Consulting,
Pensions, Investment
Telephone
General Enquiries
+44 (0)20 7283 2000
Contact name for
HR & applications
[email protected]
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Website
Careers - http://careers.aviva.co.uk
www.axa.co.uk/graduates
Type of business
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
2 Graduates
c.5
Life, General, Accident & Health &
Asset Management
General Insurance, Life Insurance,
Investments and Healthcare
Application via website
Online application
Contact name for
HR & applications
[email protected]
Application type
Paul Roberts, Graduate & Early Years
Resourcing Manager
[email protected]
Closing date
We recommend applying early as
we use a rolling application process
with deadlines mid-November. See
website for details.
Applications open in September
2016, we review applications on a
rolling basis so early applications are
encouraged to avoid disappointment.
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
Yes
Around 8 graduates per annum
Application type
Online via the Careers Website
Online application
Locations
London & Guildford
Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh,
Epsom, Farnborough, Glasgow,
Leeds, London, Manchester,
St Albans.
Closing date
Closed for applications
Applications open in September
2016 - see website for details
Locations
Bristol, Eastleigh, Norwich and York
Basingstoke, Bristol, Cobham,
Ipswich, London, Tunbridge Wells
No. of Actuaries
Qualified – c.400 Students – c.120
Approx 8 graduate roles and 85
Actuaries in the UK
Internships
Summer internships only
No
Sandwich places
Yes
No
Work experience
No
No
Apprenticeships
No
No
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
Yes
No. of Actuaries
25 qualified and 17 students
c.350
Internships
Yes
Yes
Sandwich places
Yes
Yes
Work experience
No
Yes
Apprenticeships
No
Yes
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
Yes
20
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
www.actuaries.org.uk 21
Directory of actuarial employers | Insurance
*visa restrictions may apply
Insurance
Company
Canada Life Limited
Ecclesiastical Insurance Group PLC
Company
Legal & General Group Plc
Lloyds Banking Group
Address
Canada Life Place, High Street,
Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 5BA
Ecclesiastical Insurance Group,
Beaufort House, Brunswick Road
Gloucester, GL1 1JZ
Address
Legal & General Group Plc, One
Coleman Street, London, EC2R 5AA
The Mound, Edinburgh, EH1 1YZ
Telephone
01273 37 4078
+44 (0) 20 7626 1500
Telephone
01707 423075
0345 777 3322
Website
www.legalandgeneralgroup.com
www.lloydsbankinggroup.com
Website
www.canadalife.co.uk
www.ecclesiastical.com
Type of business
Insurance company (Retirement
Income, Group Protection, Wealth
Management, Investments)
Insurance and Financial Services
Insurance company (general insurance,
pensions - individual and bulk)
Life and General Insurance
Type of business
Contact name for
HR & applications
[email protected]
Contact name for
HR & applications
Actuarial Graduate Recruitment
[email protected]
[email protected]
The Actuarial Graduate
Recruitment team
ActuarialGraduate.Recruitment@
scottishwidows.co.uk
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
2
Full range of Actuarial Opportunities
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
20-25 per year
Around 10 per year
Application type
CV+ covering letter
Standard application form
CV and covering letter to the above
recruitment email address
Application type
Online application form
Online application
Closing date
Runs throughout the year
Closing date
July 8th 2016
Ongoing
Locations
Potters Bar, London, Bristol,
Isle of Man
Gloucester
TBC – Search for ‘Actuarial’ at
www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/
careers or email ActuarialGraduate.
[email protected]
for more information.
No. of Actuaries
Approximately 30 Actuaries
30 students
8 qualified and 16 students
Locations
London, Kingswood, Hove,
Birmingham
Bristol and Edinburgh
Internships
No
Yes
No. of Actuaries
over 300 across the UK
Sandwich places
No
Yes
c.230 qualified and c.100 actuarial
students
Work experience
Yes
Yes
Internships
No
Apprenticeships
Yes
No
Yes – Edinburgh only.
Please email Actuarial_Interns@
lloydsbanking.com
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
Yes
Sandwich places
No
No
Work experience
Yes
No
Apprenticeships
No
No
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes
Yes
22
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
www.actuaries.org.uk 23
Directory of actuarial employers | Insurance
*visa restrictions may apply
Insurance
Company
LV=
The Phoenix Group
Company
SCOR SE – UK branch
Zurich Insurance plc
Address
Frizzell House, County Gates,
Bournemouth, BH1 2NF
1 Wythall Green Way, Wythall Green,
Birmingham, B47 6WG
Address
10 Lime Street, London, EC3M 7AA
General Insurance: Zurich Insurance
plc, 3000 Parkway, Whiteley,
Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 7JZ
Telephone
0800 066 5331
0203 567 9129
Website
www.lvactuarial.com
www.thephoenixgroup.com
Type of business
General Insurance, Life and
Investments
Financial Services
Contact name for
HR & applications
Chelsea Bain
[email protected]
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
Life Insurance: Zurich Assurance
Ltd, Tri-Centre Buildings, New
Bridge Square, Swindon, SN1 1HN
Telephone
+44 (0)20 3207 8550
General Insurance: 0870 522 1311
Life Insurance: 01793 514514
Helen Cooper
[email protected]
Website
www.scor.com
www.zurich.co.uk
Ongoing: Ranging from Internships /
Graduate Opportunities
3-4 per annum
Type of business
Reinsurance
General Insurance: Business (UK and
International), Car, Home, Travel
and Boat
Application type
Online application, CV –
www.lvactuarial.com
Via website
Closing date
Ongoing
As per advert
Locations
Bournemouth
Wythall, South Birmingham
No. of Actuaries
c.100
c.70 qualified and 16 students
Internships
Yes
Rarely
Sandwich places
Yes
No
Work experience
No
Occasionally
Apprenticeships
No
No
We consider
International
candidates*
Yes - providing you have an
appropriate visa to work within
the UK without Tier 2 Sponsorship.
Yes
24
Life Insurance: Life, Pensions and
Investments
Contact name for
HR & applications
HR team
[email protected]
Zurich Resource Centre
[email protected]
Graduate
actuarial vacancies
Yes
Up to 10 graduates per year
Application type
Please email: [email protected]
On-line application process
Closing date
No closing date
See website
Locations
London
Offices throughout the UK
No. of Actuaries
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
c.55 Actuaries and c.65 students
Internships
Yes
Yes
Sandwich places
Yes
Yes
Work experience
Yes
Yes
Apprenticeships
Yes
Yes
We consider
International
candidates*
Students must have the right to
work in the UK.
Yes
www.actuaries.org.uk 25
Case Studies
Directory of actuarial employers | Case Studies
APR
AXA
For more info:
www.aprllp.com
APR provides interim actuarial
resourcing solutions to clients across a
wide spectrum of insurance companies,
consultancies and other financial
institutions. For our graduate associates
this means they gain experience in a
diverse range of actuarial work, are
given client responsibility very early
on, and are able to make an immediate
and visible contribution to our business.
To ensure that staff are equipped to
meet these challenges we take on only
the most talented graduates and then
support them with extensive, in-depth
and ongoing training throughout their
time at APR.
Profile | Richard Collins
“I joined the team at APR in autumn
2014 having previously spent three years
working as a risk analyst at a brokerage
firm. Being a maths graduate, an actuarial
career had always been something I’d
considered – a challenging and wellrespected role appealing to my interests
in mathematics and finance. While many
actuarial employers came across as quite
similar to me, APR stood out as having
something different to offer.
The nature of the work, involving shortterm project placements at clients
around the UK (and even beyond),
28
genuinely offers the opportunity to
experience a variety of different roles,
with real responsibility and at different
companies. To illustrate this, so far I have
worked at a data analytics consultancy
on a benchmarking project analysing
workplace pensions, at a global general
insurer providing support within the
group reserving function, and assisting
with the development of a new quotation
system at a Dublin life office.
As well as full support through the
actuarial exams, APR provides first-class
technical training through its in-house
material, aimed at making me more
valuable when working on client projects.
The training focuses on developing
coding and modelling skills, a key area
for APR, and applying them to examples
of everyday actuarial work. I’m now very
confident using advanced functionality
in Excel, VBA, and Access, which has
proved exceptionally useful.
I was attracted by APR’s straightforward
application process, by the interviews
being relaxed and the assessment tests
much more engaging than others I have
come across. The positive feelings I got
from my interviews have come good –
the people at APR are all friendly and
very supportive, and the work is
wide-ranging and interesting. Perhaps
most importantly for me, though, I feel
like a valued part of the business.
As long as you’re happy with the
potential need to travel for some client
projects, I couldn’t recommend APR
more highly.”
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
For more info:
www.axa.co.uk/graduates
which 150 graduates from across the
world attended. It was fascinating to
hear what they were all up to!”
Profile | Jennifer Titterington
With a Mathematics BSc from the
University of Manchester, Jennifer
joined AXA Insurance in August 2015
as part of the Global Actuarial
Graduate Programme.
Why AXA?
“I’d completed a placement at AXA after
my second year. I spent time shadowing
actuaries and analysts. Having seen the
industry up-close, and having better
understood what an actuary does, I was
set on getting into insurance. I knew AXA.
I knew I’d be supported, challenged and
developed. It was the natural choice.”
What are you currently working on?
“Right now, it’s a ‘reconciliation of live
rates’ project. I make sure that AXA’s
partners, who are selling AXA products
under different brands, are charging
customers at a rate which AXA expects.
I’m liaising with various stakeholders and
underwriting teams. Great exposure,
great networking opportunities.”
Your standout experience so far
“I was lucky enough to go to Paris head
office last November, to AXA’s Global
Graduate Camp. It was a three day event
www.actuaries.org.uk The aim of the AXA Global Actuarial
Graduate Programme is to help you
become a fully qualified actuary and,
ultimately, a future AXA leader. The
intake is in September each year, and
there are positions available in AXA
Group and AXA Insurance, across a
number of geographic locations.
Now, you don’t need to have studied
actuarial science but you should have
a relevant degree, like maths or
economics. The programme lasts as
long as it takes you to qualify; typically,
that’s three to five years. It’ll come
as no surprise to hear that there’ll be
a lot of exams to pass. But you’ll have
all the encouragement and practical
support you need, including a dedicated
study coordinator.
Throughout the programme, you’ll be
able to work in different actuarial fields,
including reserving, pricing and capital
modelling. You’ll get to work in different
lines of the business, with different
stakeholders. That means real variety
and exposure to the wider business.
There are also opportunities to head
overseas for one of your placements.
Technically, professionally, personally –
the AXA Global Actuarial Graduate
Programme will give you the opportunities
and challenges you need to build a
rewarding, stimulating actuarial career.
29
Directory of actuarial employers | Case Studies
EY
Hymans Robertson
For more info:
ukcareers.ey.com/graduates
EY’s Actuarial practice is part of the
EMEIA Insurance Risk and Actuarial
Services team. We have one of the
largest actuarial teams in the world,
with over 550 professional actuarial
staff in the EMEIA region and
1,100 globally.
“I joined the General Insurance Actuarial
team at EY in 2013, having graduated
with a degree in Mathematics from
University of Manchester. I wanted to
pursue a career that would use and
develop the mathematical skills I’d
studied in my degree.
As one of the leading consultancies
in the UK we work with some of the
largest financial services companies
in the industry. Our market leading
practice advises our clients on how
to address complex, multidimensional
financial challenges. We specialise
in using sophisticated modelling
techniques and financial analysis to
provide insights as to how clients
can improve their performance.
Quickly after starting at EY I was working
on projects with the biggest companies
in the insurance industry, with plenty
of client exposure from an early stage.
Being a consultancy, every project is
different and having the opportunity to
work on reserving, capital modelling and
pricing projects has given me a breadth
of experience at an early stage in my
career. Working with a variety of clients
has ensured the work has remained
engaging and has varied from modelling
interesting niche risks to analysing larger
data sets from which more detailed
conclusions can be drawn.
Working for EY provides the unique
opportunity to work on a wide range
of solutions to solve the issues
encountered by our clients. This will
enable you to develop a wide breadth
of skills and competencies, with many
of these being focussed around the key
actuarial processes and techniques. The
nature of consultancy promises a fast
paced and engaging career.
EY has provided me with endless
learning opportunities, from consulting
skills during my initial induction to
insurance specific learning discussed
during internal conferences held across
Europe and regular office based sessions.
The generous study package on offer
has also enabled me to progress quickly
through the exams.
Being part of a large team has enabled me
to learn from and engage with a number of
different people. There is a lot of flexibility
in the projects I can become involved in
which has enabled me to achieve various
goals both inside and out of work.”
Profile | Nathan Harrison
30
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
For more info:
www.hymans.co.uk
We are a multi-award winning,
independently-owned pensions,
benefits, investment and risk
management consultancy. We
specialise in UK lifetime savings
solutions to help make peoples’
financial futures more certain in
retirement. Our reputation is built
on our friendly, partnering, confident
and straightforward values and our
independence allows us to put our
clients at the heart of what we do,
and offer flexible and fulfilling
careers to our staff.
Profile | Jordan Irvine
Job Title: Practice area: University: Degree:
Trainee Actuarial Consultant
Investment
Heriot Watt
BSc Actuarial Science
“I thoroughly enjoyed the mathematical
and technical aspects of my degree, but
something that I enjoyed even more
was working closely with people. An
important aspect of being a successful
consultant is the ability to work within
a team, and to communicate complex
problems to clients in a way that they
will understand.
www.actuaries.org.uk A key part of my role as Trainee
Consultant is to support our investment
consultants in all areas of their roles.
A lot of my work involves calculations
and spreadsheets, drafting reports and
providing appropriate advice via email
and phone to our clients. This involves
advising clients on matters such as
the appropriate structure of their
investment portfolio, considering the
full range of asset classes and the
impact of financial markets.
The firm is full of great people, all of
whom go out of their way to help you. I
have been fortunate to work alongside
several senior members of the firm who
are always extremely supportive and
friendly. Working in such an engaging
environment makes every day extremely
enjoyable, as well as allowing you to
actively learn new things. We are given
the opportunity to drive our own careers
and encouraged to work within many
different areas of the business.
At times the job and actuarial study
can be challenging, but it’s never
boring. I’m constantly learning (and
improving) and this makes the job
particularly rewarding!
The firm provides an excellent actuarial
study support package which includes
one day off a week, all the relevant study
material and a study mentor to help
guide you. Many other people at the
firm have taken the exams so it’s always
nice to speak to them and find out tips
for sitting the exams. Working alongside
studying can be rewarding in itself, as
you can see the concepts and theories
you’re learning from the textbooks being
applied in real life situations.”
31
Directory of actuarial employers | Case Studies
Legal & General PLC
Phoenix Group
For more info:
www.legalandgeneral.com
FIND THE FUTURE YOU. We’re the
UK’s largest life insurance provider.
We have the responsibility of managing
£746 billion in assets and are the UK’s
largest manager of pension funds. Our
people have the ownership to create
a positive future where talent thrives
and ambition is fulfilled. Flexibility and
real purpose are things we promise our
people – all underpinned by a great
culture and a performance philosophy
that’s rewarded with a generous
benefits package.
Profile | Andy Ward
Job title: Company: Practice area:
University: Course:
Actuary
Legal & General PLC
Financial Reporting &
Operations
University of Exeter
BSc Economics
“I joined Legal & General fresh from
university after graduating with a
degree in Economics. My first role was
in a pricing team, where I was involved
with setting the premiums for our Life
Insurance products. Since then I have
had opportunities to explore other
aspects of the business and am currently
managing a Solvency II reporting team.
Having previously completed an
internship in a small insurance firm
32
For more info:
www.thephoenixgroup.com
they also assign you with a mentor that
can help with any troubles you may have.
The other students are also extremely
helpful too – there really is a sense
of camaraderie!”
I relished the opportunity to join a
large insurer and to get exposure to
the different areas of the business.
From negotiating bulk annuity deals to
managing the run-off of a With Profits
Fund, there are a wide variety
of challenging and interesting roles
within Legal & General.
Alongside all of this Legal & General
encourages student actuaries to come
together at the end of a working day.
This has helped create a vibrant student
community, through which I have made
some great friends. Each year the
student committee put on a range of
enjoyable events, the highlight being
volleyball on Brighton Beach.
Having worked for the company for
several years I would encourage anyone
starting out on this journey to seize the
opportunity and make the most of your
time here. I feel that my development
has been supported by the experienced
actuaries with whom I have interacted,
my mentors, a generous study scheme
and the complex projects which we
have delivered.
The study scheme includes a rotation
programme which enables students to
acquire a wide and varied experience to
ensure we are fully rounded when we
qualify. It also includes up to 45 days
study leave a year, examination fees,
subscription to the profession and the
costs for all study materials including
tutorials. I know we give students the
opportunity and support needed to
flourish. Legal & General is a great place
to work and offers an exceptional career
path to start, grow and nurture your
actuarial career.”
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
Profile | Abdul Gani Mahate
Abdul Gani Mahate started his actuarial
career at the Phoenix Group in September
2015 after successfully navigating his way
through our pre-screening process and
assessment day. We asked Abdul to help
us understand what talents you need to
start an actuarial career.
Why choose an actuarial career?
“In my opinion, Actuarial work is the
perfect marriage of maths and business.
Having completed my maths degree, I
didn’t want to stay in academia. I wanted
to enter a profession where I would
actually have to use various mathematical
concepts (such as Stochastic Modelling)
in a business environment. I also felt that
my main strengths (logical and analytical)
aligned with the key skills required
and thought that my skillset would
complement an actuarial career. The
most important skill for an Actuary to
possess is the ability to explain complex
concepts to someone with very little
background knowledge.”
What does the Phoenix study scheme
involve?
“The study scheme at Phoenix is quite
generous - they will pay for your exams,
study material, tutorials and even give you
up to 45 days off during the year to study!
Not only does Phoenix offer financial aid,
www.actuaries.org.uk Why did you choose Phoenix?
“Phoenix is the UK’s largest consolidator
of closed life assurance funds, so it has
been on my radar since I chose to go
down the actuarial path. With it being
such a big life assurance fund consolidator,
I would be joining a company with a vast
network of people that could provide me
with invaluable knowledge, experience
and advice.
I also knew of a few people at Phoenix
and from their experience, they said it
was a great place to work – flexible work
hours; free lunch (!!!); on-site gym, yoga,
badminton, tennis, football, etc; and of
course the outstanding work culture.
Bearing all this in mind, I opted to take the
plunge and accept the job offer and I must
admit I am yet to be disappointed!”
How do you fit in your study around your
work and social / family life?
“The key here is time management. As
a student, you are studying full time,
whereas as an actuarial analyst, you are
studying full-time as well as working fulltime whilst simultaneously offering 100%
to both! Adhering to a sensible study plan
is important to track your progress as well
as plan any future holidays!”
Any advice to future students?
“Consistency is the key. Stay focused.
Develop skills and gain experience
whilst you are an actuarial student – that
would help you grow into a qualified and
successful actuary.”
33
Directory of actuarial employers | Case Studies
PWC
Redington
For more info:
pwc.com
At PwC we help our clients evaluate
risks to their businesses, using financial
and statistical techniques to analyse the
likelihood and implications of different
events. It’s a challenging and highly
technical remit, made even more so
by the need to communicate complex
findings in a simple way, so that clients
can implement actions that best meet
their interests. Very early on you’ll
get the opportunity to interact with
clients – enhancing your experience and
supporting your development along the
way. Actuarial Services works primarily in
the insurance field, as well as the growing
non-insurance field which includes
banking, corporates and healthcare;
People and Organisation cover pensions
and Reward and Employment (R&E).
Profile | Sylvia e
“I joined the Actuarial Services practice
at PwC in 2012 with a first class degree
in Mathematics with Economics from
University College London. I joined the
actuarial profession having known for a
number of years that this was the career
path I wanted to pursue. I saw this career
choice as an exciting challenge of my
analytical and numerical skills, and also a
career that would be both rewarding and
challenging. The experiences I’ve had at
PwC have exceeded my expectations.
34
Quite simply, there’s so much more to
being an actuary than being analytical and
numerate. As a consultant, client service
is everything. Understanding the business
issues faced by the client is essential to the
work I do. I’ve been involved in a number
of highly technical projects, but the most
important quality required on each has
been the ability to understand the bigger
picture. As I’ve gained experience, I’ve
had to handle increased responsibility
over both my workload and the workload
of others. I’ve found that good soft skills,
such as communication and organisation,
are key to being able to manage these
responsibilities effectively.
The technical side of the job is naturally
still very important. It may sound clichéd,
but being an actuary is such a varied
profession. My own experience has seen
me create benchmarking models for
clients in the healthcare sector, review
Economic Scenario Generators for the
audit of an international life insurer and
validate the internal models of a banks’
multi-currency cash settlement system,
to name just a few. On top of this, I’ve
had the experience of a six-month
internal secondment to one of PwC’s
newest business areas, working in the Data
Analytics team, in which I’ve developed
models for the revenue generation process
of an Asset Manager. There’s a lot of
variety here for exciting opportunities, and
you really feel in control of your career
from day one.
PwC has proved to be a fantastic choice
for me. I’ve had the opportunity to work
alongside industry experts from a variety of
professions, in a wide variety of traditional
and non-traditional actuarial fields.”
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
For more info:
redington.co.uk
Imagine working for a company that
invests in you. A company offering
fascinating challenges in a small but
rapidly growing team. The day-today variety Redington provides could
overwhelm the faint hearted. But if you
love to learn and want to put your skills
to good use, then there is no better
place to do it.
Redington is an independent, innovative
and forward-thinking investment
consultancy. Our core business is with
pension funds and long-term savings
institutions. For you as an actuary, your
scope is not limited. You have the entire
company to explore, so your journey
can take you from investment consulting
and manager research to asset & liability
management. What’s more, you have the
opportunity to work with a wide range
of Redington’s associates. This includes
trustees, senior corporate sponsors, asset
managers, private equity houses and
investment banks.
The investment case is built around
you. Redington provides you with
comprehensive actuarial training
support and an on-the-job development
programme. And for more experienced
actuaries, there is range of non-technical
(soft skill) training such as leadership,
influencing and negotiation skills.
Redington also offers regular one-to-one
coaching from external experts to meet
your long-term career goals.
Redington has a wide-open-door policy,
welcoming applications from across the
financial industry and beyond. In return,
you must have a strong educational
foundation, a dedication to excellence
and a curious mind.
www.actuaries.org.uk This is the experience of fellow actuary
Steven Yang Yu.
Profile | Steven Yang Yue
“Redington is fast-growing and ambitious
– that’s why I choose to work here.
When I joined Redington in early 2007,
I was the second member of the firm’s
asset liability modelling (ALM) team. My
team was instrumental in developing
Redington’s ability to provide ALM and risk
analytics, investment strategies, portfolio
solutions and risk reporting services.
More recently, I have advanced into
management and leadership, with
responsibility for a team of 17 that
services Redington’s £350 billion client
base. I have also helped shape the firm’s
training and development programme,
as well as developing its business
strategy outside the UK.
Ultimately, Redington has opened up
to me whenever I have been ready
to progress. This is a tremendously
liberating way to work.
I have a BA in mathematics from the
University of Cambridge, a Master’s in
actuarial science from CASS Business
School and I qualified as a Fellow of
the Institute of Actuaries in 2011.”
35
Directory of actuarial employers | Case Studies
Willis Tower Watson
Xafinity
For more info:
www.willistowerswatson.com
For more info:
xafinity.co.uk
individual member calculations,
preparation of reports for pension
scheme valuations, just to name a few
(several of these often balanced in the
same working day!). I have found my
client teams to be incredibly supportive
whenever I have questions, yet also keen
to give me greater exposure so that I
understand the processes and purpose
behind what I am doing. Further, I have
worked directly with a range of people,
from those in the years immediately
above me to Scheme actuaries to those
in the research department. The wide
and varied work environment makes the
Retirement department at Willis Towers
Watson an exciting and fast-paced place
to work!
Xafinity is a market leading actuarial,
pensions and employee benefit
consultancy providing a full range of
consulting and administration services to
over 500 clients. We combine expertise,
insight and technology to address the
needs of both trustees and companies,
specialising in pension derisking solutions.
Actuarial students are encouraged to
study for the actuarial examinations. We
will provide you with paid study leave, as
well as meeting the cost of subscription,
tuition courses and examinations.
Having studied mathematics at
university, I was keen to pursue a career
that used the highly numerate and
technical skills I had developed to solve
real world problems. Interning, and
consequently working at Willis Towers
Watson has confirmed to me that an
actuarial career is the perfect fit.
With the career comes the actuarial
exams - having just completed my first
exam sitting, I found balancing the job,
and life in general, with studying to
be very challenging, especially in the
month leading up to exams. However, I
did find it rewarding to supplement my
day to day work with the mathematical
and economic theory behind it, and
Willis Towers Watson’s generous study
support in the form of study days and
budget, study champions and of course
the network of actuarial students in the
company greatly helped.
In the 8 months I’ve been in the
Retirement department at Willis Towers
Watson , thanks to the large pool of
clients it advises, I’ve been pleasantly
surprised by the sheer variety of work
and clients I have been involved with.
These projects include several corporate
accounting disclosures, numerous
In addition to the excellent professional
opportunities to seize at Willis Towers
Watson, the people are what make
it a lovely place to work - the work
environment is a friendly, diverse and
intelligent one, and there is a strong
social side too, from sports teams to
charity fundraisers!”
Profile | Divya Karthikeyan
Company: Location: Practice area:
University: Course:
Willis Towers Watson
London
Retirement
University of Cambridge
Master of Mathematics
(MMath)
“I joined Towers Watson in September
2015 as part of the Graduate Scheme,
having interned at Towers Watson in the
summer between my second and third
year of university.
36
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
Our actuaries are employed in the
consultancy division and we recruit
Graduate Actuaries each year, as it is
important to our business to grow and
develop this talent.
Our Graduates work alongside qualified
actuaries and other actuarial students,
and are exposed to real client issues
from the start.
Why work for Xafinity?
• Xafinity is an award winning specialist
provider of pensions and employee
benefits expertise
• Our intensive training is designed to
enhance your potential for the long term
• The study package is generous and
has the flexibility for you to progress
through the exams at your own pace
and we offer support and
encouragement at every stage
www.actuaries.org.uk Profile | Patrick Cullen e
Job Title: Location: Practice area:
University: Course:
Actuarial Assistant
Reading
Pensions
Loughborough Bachelor of Mathematics
“After I graduated from Loughborough
University, I carefully considered various
career options. I was drawn to the actuarial
profession because it felt like a natural
progression from mathematics.
The Xafinity assessment centre was
challenging but had a friendly and
approachable atmosphere. There were lots
of opportunities for me to ask questions
to members of the actuarial teams which
gave me a good understanding of the
supportive working environment.
My role involves a wide variety of work
and allows me to learn new things every
day. Since joining one year ago I have been
involved with pension scheme valuations,
corporate accounting disclosures and
individual member calculations.
The biggest challenge I have faced is
balancing work, study and having a social
life. Xafinity makes this easier by offering a
competitive study package and regularly
organising social events such as football
matches, pool tournaments and quizzes.”
37
NEWTON RECRUITMENT
Directory of actuarial employers | Accredited Firms
Specialising in Actuarial Careers
Recruiting the best talent for
industry leading firms
Firms accredited:
CERA
A
F
F
FIA
AFA
A
I
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CAA
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• Aon Hewitt Limited - Retirement &
Investment Consulting Business
• Barnett Waddingham LLP
• Buck Consultants Ltd
• Deloitte LLP, Deloitte MCS Limited
and Deloitte Total Reward & Benefits
Limited – Actuarial, Reward and
Analytics Function
• First actuarial LLP
• Hymans Robertson LLP – Investment,
Actuarial Benefits and Consultancy,
Risk Modelling and Consulting practices
• JLT Benefit Solutions – Trustee,
Corporate and Investment
Consulting divisions
• Lane Clark & Peacock LLP
• Milliman LLP & Milliman Financial
Strategies Limited – Life & Financial
Services Consulting; Property &
Casualty Insurance Consulting;
Health Consulting; and Financial
Risk Management practices
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A number of actuarial employers have
been accredited with the QAS mark.
This is a mark of approval provided
by the IFoA to organisations that
meet our criteria. Amongst other
factors, a QAS accredited employer
has been independently assessed
as demonstrating commitment to
providing a working environment that
supports employees in meeting their
professional obligations and supporting
and facilitating the development and
training of employees at all stages of
their career.
t=1
• Punter Southall Limited & Punter
Southall Investment Consulting Limited
• Towers Watson Limited
To find out more visit:
https://www.actuaries.org.uk/QAS
Contact
[email protected]
t 01689 862937
w www.newtonrecruitment.com
38
Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
• Investment • Pensions • Life Insurance • General Insurance
• Health & Care • Risk Management
Qualify as
a Fellow of
the IFoA
Discover
where a
career with
PwC could
take you
We’re one
of the UK’s
leading
Actuarial
practices
Chirag | AXA Graduate
The experience stays with you
Work in:
Actuarial
Assurance
Consulting
Deals
PwC Legal
Tax
Technology
Opportunities are at the heart of a career with PwC. Opportunities
to grow as an individual, to build lasting relationships and to
make an impact in a place where people, quality and value mean
everything. If you have what it takes to boost the performance of
some of the world’s biggest companies and help them handle a
wide range of business issues and complex commercial challenges,
we have what it takes to make sure you thrive.
Take the opportunity of a lifetime
pwc.com/uk/careers
/pwccareersuk
@pwc_uk_careers
© 2016 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved.
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Be yourself, be different.
Do you ever wonder about the
never-been-done, the what-could-be?
The world is constantly changing and we want to
lead the way. At AXA, we’re thinking far beyond what
you would expect in order to better care for our 103
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If you’re ready for a unique learning experience where
you’ll go further, faster, where you’ll be challenged,
developed and supported every step of the way,
join our Global Actuarial Graduate Programme.
www.axa.co.uk/graduates
London
7th Floor · Holborn Gate · 326-330 High Holborn · London · WC1V 7PP
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7632 2100 · Fax: +44 (0) 20 7632 2111
Edinburgh
Level 2 · Exchange Crescent · 7 Conference Square · Edinburgh · EH3 8RA
Tel: +44 (0) 131 240 1300 · Fax: +44 (0) 131 240 1313
Oxford
1st Floor · Park Central · 40/41 Park End Street · Oxford · OX1 1JD
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 268 200 · Fax: +44 (0) 1865 268 211
Beijing
6/F · Tower 2 · Prosper Centre · 5 Guanghua Road · Chaoyang District · Beijing China 100020
Tel: +86 8573 1522
Hong Kong
2202 Tower Two · Lippo Centre · 89 Queensway · Hong Kong
Tel: +11 852 2147 9418
Singapore
163 Tras Street · #07-05 Lian Huat Building · Singapore 079024
Tel: +65 6717 2955
Email: [email protected]
www.actuaries.org.uk/become-actuary