19 May 2025
It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Andrew Chamberlain FIA. He was a long-standing member and dedicated volunteer of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), whose contributions to the actuarial profession spanned over four decades.
Andrew became a student member of the Institute in 1977, qualifying as a Fellow in 1983. Over the course of his career, he worked in several significant roles across the profession, including at Hill Samuel Life Assurance, Aetna Life, the UK’s Government Actuary’s Department, and Watson Wyatt. From 2010 to 2017, he held senior roles at Partnership Assurance. His professional career was marked by both technical excellence and principled leadership.
Andrew’s voluntary service to the IFoA was remarkable in both length and impact. He served terms on the Institute Council and then IFoA Council from 2001 to 2013 and also played a pivotal role on numerous influential committees. These included the Life Board (which he chaired), the Professional Affairs Board, and the Supervision and Insurance Regulation Committees. His expertise helped guide the profession through critical regulatory discussions and developments, including his appearance before the UK Parliament's Treasury Select Committee in 2017, where he represented the IFoA’s views on Solvency II and post-Brexit reform.
His influence extended globally through his extensive work with the International Actuarial Association (IAA), where he served for over twenty years. He was the IFoA’s delegate to the IAA’s Insurance Regulation Committee, a founding member, and later Chair, of the IAA’s Actuarial Standards Committee, and contributed significantly to the IAA’s representation on IFRS matters. His warmth, wisdom, and generosity of spirit earned him the admiration of colleagues worldwide.
Andrew was awarded the Institute of Actuaries President’s Award in 2010 which is given to members of the profession who have, in the opinion of the President, made a particular and special contribution to the profession. In 2022, he was awarded the Finlaison Medal which is given 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.
In addition to volunteering within the actuarial community, Andrew served as a local councillor for Merton Borough Council from 1982 to 1994, at one point working alongside Theresa May. He was a school governor at two schools: Abbotsbury Primary School, Morden for over 30 years and his old school, King’s College, Wimbledon for over 20 years. Andrew had a love for good food, wine and real ale, serving on the UK’s Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) finance committee from 2017 to 2025. He had a deep love of cricket, was a keen Surrey fan and friends report that he took great delight in umpiring. Andrew greatly enjoyed travelling and his volunteering with the IAA gave he and his wife Joe the opportunity to travel to places they may otherwise not have visited.
Kartina Tahir Thomson, IFoA President, said:
“Andrew’s passing represents a profound loss to the actuarial community in the UK and more widely. He was not only a deeply knowledgeable and principled actuary, but also a kind and generous colleague, mentor, and friend to many. I knew Andrew through our work with the IAA. I will miss his pragmatic and kind approach to collaborative working. His legacy is one of thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to the public interest.
“We extend our sincere condolences to Andrew’s wife Joe, his family, friends, and professional peers across the globe. His many contributions to the IFoA and to the wider profession will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude.”
IFoA Past President Matt Saker will represent the profession at Andrew’s funeral.
