This week on Actuarial People I’m delighted to be joined by Tara Payn, Phil Sartain and Tom Creasy!

This is the recording from a very special Live episode we recorded for the Queen Mary Actuarial Society in March.

Following an insightful conversation with Ethan Haley last year, I wanted to do something to help aspiring actuaries to better understand & equip themselves for the transition from studying at university, to securing their first role and starting their actuarial career. This led to a number of ‘Early Careers Special’ episodes in recent weeks, followed by a fantastic live discussion in front of an inquisitive and engaged audience at QMUL!

• Tara is an Actuarial Consultant at Aon, and is also part of Aon’s recruitment team for early & mid-career actuarial positions.
• Phil leads Aon’s UK & EMEA Early Careers Talent Acquisition Team, and has over 20 years of recruitment & careers experience.
• Tom is a qualified GI actuary with extensive experience of interviewing and hiring actuarial graduates both in the UK and the US, and also runs his own actuarial careers website in the US.

If you are curious about becoming an actuary in the future, and would like to know more about how to make it happen, this is the episode for you!!

Huge thanks also Lloyd Richards for making everything possible!

Tara Payn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-payn-875404173/

Phil Sartain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-sartain-3ab4813a/

Tom Creasy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-creasy-1a018140/

Tom's careers website for Us actuaries: https://www.acturhire.com/

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 james.turner@turnerperkins.com to arrange a confidential conversation!

TP Website

Duaa is an Actuarial Analyst at Deloitte, specialising in General Insurance.

After learning about how she discovered the actuarial profession at the age of just 12, we discuss her journey to date, including:

• Duaa’s decision to relocate from Pakistan to the UK, straight out of university
• Having the confidence to apply for entry-level roles in the UK, despite requiring sponsorship
• The specific challenges she faced during this transition, and how she adapted to overcome them
• The differences between the actuarial exam pathway in Pakistan and the UK
• The importance of thinking carefully about the company you want to work for, and finding the best possible fit

I loved hearing about some of the differences around communication styles and workplace dynamics, which will be very useful for anyone considering starting or continuing their actuarial career in the UK.

Thanks so much for sharing your journey Duaa!!

Please connect with Duaa here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duaa-hassan/

You can also follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/duaahchandio/

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 james.turner@turnerperkins.com to arrange a confidential conversation!

TP Website

James is a Principal & Senior Consulting Actuary at Gallagher, and has 35 years’ experience in the industry.

After learning about how he first discovered the actuarial profession, we discuss his experiences of beginning his career in-house with CIS, joining KPMG after 10 years, and then moving to Buck (now Gallagher) in 2015, where his roles have included leading the Manchester Team.

Some of the key talking points included:

• The actuarial profession has evolved significantly over the past 35 years, embracing technology and new methodologies.
• The transition from a relaxed work environment to a more driven one can change career perspectives.
• Work-life balance is important, but commitment to work can lead to fulfilment.
• Finding a great job is about more than just salary; workplace culture and relationships matter a lot.
• Young professionals should focus on being reliable and committed in their early years for career growth.
• The shift towards hybrid working has changed how we view work-life balance and team interactions.
• Mental health initiatives are crucial for team cohesion and individual well-being in a remote working environment.
• Networking and building strong relationships within the industry can greatly enhance career opportunities and personal satisfaction.

I also couldn’t resist asking James for his thoughts on what it means for him and his colleagues, now that Buck has become part of Gallagher.

I hope you enjoy the conversation!

Please connect with James here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-forrest-24641b37/

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 james.turner@turnerperkins.com to arrange a confidential conversation!

TP Website