My first actuarial post in a very large insurance company was in the department dealing with industrial branch surrender values. While it introduced me to the world of utterly boring repetition, it didn't quite dissuade me from becoming an actuary. Having qualified as an FIA during 4 years with Duncan C Fraser (now part of Mercers), I then spent 12 years at Clay & Partners (now part of Aon), followed by 28 years at GAD until May 2018. All in all, I have been a UK pensions actuary for over 40 years and have also qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (which was no easier than becoming an FIA).

Apart from worrying about actuaries mainlining on risk without taking account of reward, I also maintain websites on trying to estimate long-term inflation in a sensible manner (with Con Keating), discount rates and long-term equity returns. Although they are still online, I doubt I shall be updating FRS17 in pictures or arbitration in pictures any time soon but I do intend to revisit smoothed pension valuations as soon as time permits.

Currently, I am Treasurer of three charities (Law For Life, Advocacy In Barnet and Helplines Partnership), which keep me somewhat occupied, for which I’m grateful.