Letters: Jim Jewell

As I was born before 1945 I had considered the proposed merger a matter for the younger members. Several of your contributors comments provoke me however. Huw Wynne-Griffiths (The Actuary, June 2008) thinks the profession has much to be proud of over the past 40 years but, sadly, I think it also has much to be ashamed of, notably in shortcomings in the stewardship of life and pensions business. It should also be sad about its slowness to help its members involve themselves in wider fields such as general and health insurance.

The most numerate of my sons did not see the value of three or four years more study but found employment experience in aspects of risk management. His latest work for a hedge fund manager would be a worthy challenge for any interested actuary. Will a merged profession prove more successful in making its members desirable to such potential employers and thereby also attract a wider variety of able recruits? Will it prove more skilful at saving the profession from pitfalls to come? It is difficult to see why a merger should be a precondition for future success. But if both Councils want it perhaps we should let them get on with it, get it out of the way and then judge Council members against the objectives that matter.

Jim Jewell
30 May 2008