Actuary of the future: David Costello

Employer and area of work?
Xafinity Consulting, pensions.

Describe yourself in three words.
I want to say funny, handsome and quiet but I’m probably not that quiet.

What is the best thing about your job?
The high level of responsibility I get and the fact that no manual work is involved (apart from collecting printer paper and making tea). The studying is also good.

And the worst?
Either staying in the office when it’s a really nice day, or the early mornings.

Tell us your formula for success.
I have always enjoyed what I do, and that has helped to achieve great things. I also make the most of my free time, and try to avoid watching TV.

What is your best attribute?
I treat my friends like my family and am always there for them when they need me.

Your worst habit?
I get addicted to Championship Manager once a year when the new game version is released. I am then a hermit for a couple of months. This contradicts my formula for success.

What is most likely to irritate you about others?
I don’t get on with over-dramatic people, or back-stabbers. I tend to irritate people before they irritate me though.

Alternative career?
There is a beautiful link between maths and music I would like to explore.

Favourite CD/film/gadget?
CDs: Darkdancer by Les Rhythmes Digitales and Morcheeba’s Big Calm. Film: predictably The Shawshank Redemption. Gadget: more predictably my iPod.

How do you relax away from the office?
I am a Crystal Palace fan and I spend the summer with friends or at outdoor events.

Tell us something unusual about yourself.
I will probably be a dad by the time this goes to print, at the prime age of 24.

Who would you most like to be stuck in a lift with?
Ronnie O’Sullivan or Gary Kasparov. Kasparov could teach me some new chess moves.