General insurance – Blockchain and Fintech Working Party – members

Application closing date: 7 July

The Blockchain and Fintech Working Party is seeking to appoint both members and suitably experienced or qualified non-members.

The main focus of the group will be on the transformative potential of blockchain technology in the insurance industry and the role that actuaries can play in that regard. This group will delve into blockchain’s promising role in micro-insurance and financial inclusion and its significant promise in streamlining the insurance applications, business models, and underwriting process, for example in medical insurance through the use of smart contracts.

The research will investigate the evolving impact of these technological advancements in the insurance industry – especially on actuaries’ roles – within the rapidly expanding field of decentralised finance (DeFi). By comparing these emerging responsibilities with traditional actuarial roles, the group aims to offer strategic recommendations that position actuaries at the forefront of this dynamic sector. Our focus will be on equipping actuaries with the insights and tools necessary to lead and innovate in the realm of DeFi, ensuring that the profession remains adaptable and forward-thinking in a rapidly changing financial landscape.

Additionally, given the increasing adoption of blockchain by various sectors, including banking – a key client segment for insurance companies – it’s crucial for actuaries to understand and model the associated risks accurately. This working group will serve as a platform for actuaries to grasp the intricacies of this technology, enabling us to evaluate its impacts more effectively and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Our goal is to create a collaborative space for sharing knowledge, discussing challenges, and identifying opportunities, thereby equipping actuaries with the necessary tools and insights to navigate and contribute to this emerging domain.

Time commitment

The time commitment is approximately half a day per month, made up of attendance at fortnightly online meetings, with follow-up research and actions between meetings.

Next steps

If you are interested in this role but would like an informal conversation before applying, please email us at engagement.team@actuaries.org.uk.

If you have read all the above and would like to apply, please send us:

  • brief details of your relevant experience
  • your reasons for wishing to get involved
  • your ARN (if you are a member)
  • a brief copy of your CV and full contact details (if you are a non-member)
  • confirmation that you have read, understood, and agree to the information and requirements laid out in our volunteer information pack (please be aware that until we have received this confirmation, we will not be able to appoint you as a volunteer)

Please email all the above to engagement.team@actuaries.org.uk. Please note, we are unable to accept late applications.

We are committed to promoting diversity, equality of opportunity, and inclusion, within all our vacancies and we actively encourage applications from a diverse range of potential candidates. Recognising and embracing the unique and diverse talents of our volunteers is fundamental to the success of our organisation.

What you need to know

Volunteering provides you with a wide range of opportunities. With all rights and opportunities come responsibilities and we ask all our volunteers to comply with the terms of the IFoA’s governance manual and volunteer information pack. Before offering to provide support, please read through: what you need to know.