25 April 2025
The IFoA is pleased to announce that IFoA Fellow Charles Cowling has been awarded a Finlaison Medal, recognising his outstanding contribution to the actuarial profession.
In awarding this medal, IFoA Council wishes to acknowledge Charles’ outstanding service over many years to promote and serve the profession in the public interest, and to advance actuarial knowledge and understanding.
Charles was born in Manchester and graduated with a BSc (Hons) from Durham University in 1984. He became Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries in 1991. He is also a Chartered Mathematician (1999), Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (2003) and Chartered Scientist (2005).
Charles has recently stepped down as President of the International Actuarial Association. He served on IFoA Council on five occasions over a period of 16 years starting in 2003. He also volunteered in numerous other capacities, including chairmanship of six different boards or groups. In 2021, Charles received the President's Award for his contributions to the Actuarial Profession.
Charles Cowling, IFoA Fellow and Past President of the International Actuarial Association, said: "I am honoured to receive a Finlaison Award from the IFoA. I have immensely enjoyed all my volunteering roles and last year, serving as President of the IAA was a real highlight for me. I believe that the success I’ve had in my career has been supported and informed by the people I’ve met and the topics I’ve delved into during my years as a volunteer. I would really encourage other members to consider volunteering. It is a commitment on top of the day job but there are great benefits including the opportunities to grow your professional network and meet a range of actuaries with an incredible diversity of views and ideas."
The Finlaison Medal was first awarded in 1985 and is named after the founding President of the Institute of Actuaries. These medals are awarded in recognition of service to the actuarial profession in fulfilling the responsibilities laid out in our Royal Charter, beyond that which would normally be expected of an ordinary member.
