Skip to main content
IAA eConnect Shop Contact Us
0
About
Engage & Collaborate
Knowledge
News & Events
IAA eConnect Shop Contact Us
Home Leadership Biography – Past President

Biography: Charles Cowling

Immediate Past President

Charles Cowling served as President of the International Actuarial Association in 2024. In 2025, he serves as an Officer of the IAA as Immediate Past President, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, member of the Executive Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Nominations Committee. 

Charles was born in Manchester, United Kingdom and graduated with a BSc (Hons) from Durham University in 1984 and became Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries (IFoA) in 1991. He is also a Chartered Mathematician (1999), Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (2003) and Chartered Scientist (2005). 

Charles began his career as a systems analyst with Royal Insurance UK Ltd (1980-1983) then he began his actuarial consulting career with Duncan C Fraser (now Mercer) in 1984 in progressive roles until 2006. In 2007, he began working with JLT Pension Capital Strategies Ltd until 2020 having reached the role of Chief Actuary. In 2018, he returned to Mercer following their acquisition of JLT and is currently employed as their Chief Actuary. 

Charles has served on five occasions on the IFoA Council (total of 16 years since 2003) and in numerous other roles, including chairmanship of six different boards or groups. In 2021, he was given the President's Award for his contributions to the Actuarial Profession. He has also served in a number of roles with the Worshipful Company of Actuaries, Pensions Committee of the Actuarial Association of Europe, Association of Consulting Actuaries and Pensions Policy Institute. He has authored several publications and presented a numerous conferences in the UK and across the world. 

Charles is married to Becky and has four children (Tom, Toby, Hal and Sally). He is training for ordination in the Church of England, and enjoys fell walking with his family and fell running - and charity fundraising marathons. He also has a passion for music, especially choral and church music, amateur dramatics and opera. He is a member of the Manchester Chamber Choir and Herdwyck Consort.

January 2025