Tutor profiles

Gresham Arnold

Gresham currently teaches CT7, CA3, ST4, ST5 and SA4. He graduated from Cambridge University in 1996 with a degree in Natural Science and spent much of his earlier actuarial career with Bacon & Woodrow (now Hewitt Bacon & Woodrow), where he worked in their Birmingham office. He completed the actuarial exams in 2001.

Gresham enjoys spending time with his family, hill-walking and playing badminton.

Graham Aylott

Graham joined ActEd in 1997 and currently teaches Subjects CT7 and CT8. After obtaining a First Class degree in Economics from the University of Warwick in 1987, he joined NPI in Tunbridge Wells and completed the actuarial exams in 1991. He subsequently returned to the University of Warwick, where he added to his collection of Economics degrees and discovered the joys of teaching.

Graham enjoys walking, listening to a wide range of good music and living in Scotland with his wife, dogs and hens.

Lynn Birchall

Lynn joined ActEd in 2000 and currently teaches Subjects CT2, CA1, ST2 and SA2. After graduating in Mathematics from Oxford University in 1993, Lynn worked in the insurance sector. She completed the actuarial exams in 1996 and was both an ActEd marker and an Examiner prior to joining ActEd.

Outside work, Lynn's main interests are running, fell-walking and appreciating wine.

Anna Bishop

Anna joined ActEd in 2003 and currently teaches Subjects CT6, CT8 and CA1. After obtaining a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and French from Swansea University in 1997, she has subsequently worked for Norwich Union in Norwich and AXA in Bristol. She is a qualified actuary, has a life insurance background and has also marked exams for the Institute. She spends much of her non-teaching time at ActEd developing online products.

Anna lives in Oxford, plays the oboe and piano and has a little boy.

Duncan Brydon

Duncan is a qualified actuary who joined ActEd in 2009 after spending over 4 years working for Tillinghast. He was previously a lecturer in mathematics at Hertford College, Oxford. He currently teaches ST8 and SA3.

When not working, Duncan enjoys composing music, reading and swimming.

Bev Butler

Bev joined ActEd in 1999 and currently teaches Subjects CT1, CT3, CT5, CT6 and Induction courses. After obtaining a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics from the University of Nottingham in 1986, she completed a PGCE in 1987. She taught Mathematics at St Bartholomew's School, Newbury and was then Head of Mathematics at Kennet School, Thatcham from 1993.

Bev enjoys keeping fit, walking and travelling.

Robert Chadburn

Robert (FIA 1990) joined ActEd in March 2000 and currently teaches Subjects CT4, CT5, ST2 and induction courses. Robert was a Senior Lecturer in Actuarial Science at the City University, London, where he taught a variety of actuarial subjects to undergraduates and post graduates, supervised MSc and PhD projects, and participated in research. He has also contributed to many of the profession's education and research activities. Robert has a PhD in Population Genetics from the University of Liverpool, and spent his formative actuarial years with the NFU Mutual in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Robert is a keen singer of classical music, and sings both in a choral society (where he is a regular soloist) and in a madrigal group. He also enjoys walking, natural history, bellringing, playing the piano and being with his family.

Darrell Chainey

Darrell is Managing Director of ActEd. He joined ActEd in 1998 after spending over 5 years working for Pearl Assurance in Peterborough. He obtained a First Class degree in Mathematics from the University of Warwick in 1992 and became an FIA in 1997. Darrell currently teaches Subjects CT1 and ST2. He is heavily involved as an (unfit) player, coach and umpire with a local hockey club and as the Chair of Governors of a local primary school.

Helen Evans

Helen joined ActEd at the start of 2000 and currently teaches Subjects CA1, CA3, ST3 and ST4. After obtaining a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Exeter University in 1992, Helen joined Sun Life in Bristol as an actuarial student. She completed the actuarial examinations in 1997, and subsequently worked for Friends Provident as the marketing Actuary.

Helen enjoys dancing, horse-riding and walking in her spare time.

Sarah Gunn

Sarah joined ActEd in 2011 and currently teaches CA1, ST1 and SA1. Sarah graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in Natural Sciences. Her actuarial career began in 2006 when she joined Watson Wyatt (now Towers Watson), working in life insurance. Her time there included secondments to the Hong Kong and Sydney offices, and she qualified as an actuary in 2010.

Sarah enjoys scuba diving, travelling and drinking wine with friends.

David Hopkins

David currently teaches Subjects CT4, CT8, ST6 and ST9, but has tutored a wide range of subjects during his time with ActEd. He has also been responsible for developing many of ActEd's internal computer systems and is one of our markers for the CA2 assignments.

Before joining ActEd's predecessor (Hazell Carr Training) in February 1991, he worked for William M Mercer and then Towers Perrin where, as well as carrying out regular pension consulting work, he was involved in computer development and running training programmes for actuarial students. David obtained an MA in Mathematics from Cambridge University in 1982. He qualified as an FIA in 1988 and is a member of several other mathematics-related organisations.

David lives in London. He describes himself as a film buff and has a keen interest in European languages, and developments in science and mathematics.

Michael Hosking

Michael has been training actuarial students since 1992, when he joined ActEd. He had previously been a secondary school teacher, teaching mathematics and statistics and running a maths department. He completed the actuarial exams whilst working for ActEd, and now teaches a variety of actuarial subjects, the current emphasis being on CT1, CT3, CT4, CT5 and CT6.

When he's not working, he enjoys singing (with a chamber choir in Oxford), walking and playing duplicate bridge.

Simon James

Simon joined ActEd in 2007. He teaches CT2, ST5, CA3 and ST9. Simon gained a degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Sussex University in 1988. He qualified as an actuary in 1994 with Prudential. Simon has experience in wider fields having helped set up Prudential Banking and create the internet bank Egg. He has also worked as an independent consultant and coach.

Simon is married with two rapidly growing children. Simon is a keen skier. He juggles fire.

John joined ActEd in July 2001 and currently teaches Subjects CT1, CT3, CT6 and the interesting bits from CA1. John graduated in Mathematics from Oxford University in 1991 before completing a PGCE also at Oxford. John has been teaching mathematics, and statistics at a number of schools, most recently at North Leamington Community School and Arts College, where he was the Head of Maths. John qualified as an FFA in 2008 and then promptly took a sabbatical to attend King’s Bible College. He is now trying to decide whether to study to become an IFA or to write children’s books.

John is married with four children (Lizzie, Josiah, Hannah and Levi). In his spare time (!) he enjoys composing music, walking, juggling with knives and "helping" his children play on all the climbing frames!

Julie Lewis

Julie graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1992 with a First Class degree in Mathematics, and again in 1997 with a PhD in Mathematics. Before joining ActEd in February 2000, she spent 4½ years as a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at Glasgow Caledonian University. She currently teaches Subjects CT1, CT3, CT4, CT5 and CT6.

Julie is married to Ian, a systems engineer, who works in Bavaria and spends a lot of time on EasyJet.

Julie's favourite CT subject: 4
Julie's favourite authors: CJ Sansom, Alison Weir, Christopher Brookmyre
Julie's favourite colour of wine: red
Julie's favourite colour of sky: blue

Mike Lewry

Mike joined ActEd in 2000 and currently teaches Subjects CT8, ST2, ST6 and SA2. After achieving a First Class degree in mathematics from Queens' College, Cambridge in 1991, he began his actuarial career with NPI, qualifying as an FIA in 1996. Before joining ActEd, he was NPI's Valuation Actuary, an Assistant Examiner for the profession and an ActEd marker. After being free of exams for several years, Mike finally succumbed to the attractions of CiD (now ST6), which he took and passed in 2002.

Mike is married to Jenny, and has four children (Rebecca, Samuel, Hannah and Esther). He enjoys running and is slowly getting less unfit!

Colin McKee

Colin joined ActEd in 1999 and currently teaches Subjects CT2, ST5, SA5 and SA6. After obtaining a First Class degree in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy from the University of Glasgow, he joined Scottish Mutual, then Scottish Amicable, as a fund manager, where he completed the actuarial examinations in 1989. He then worked for the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland from 1991 until he joined ActEd.

Colin enjoys squash, golf, walking and playing the piano in his spare time.

Mark Mitchell

Mark joined ActEd in 2007 and currently teaches CT1, CT4, CT5 and CT8. He graduated from Cambridge University in 1999 with a degree in Mathematics. He spent the early part of his career at Mercer Human Resource Consulting in Leeds, where he qualified as an actuary in 2003. He has since worked for Scottish Widows in Edinburgh.

Mark enjoys travel, reading, visiting historic sites and going to the theatre.

Justine Peggs

Justine joined ActEd in July 2003 and currently teaches ST4 and SA4. Justine graduated in mathematics with economics from the University of Sussex in 1987. Justine worked in the retirement practice at Mercer from 1987 until she joined ActEd in 2003. Justine qualified as an Actuary in 1995 and from 1997 was appointed as Scheme Actuary to a variety of pension schemes.

Justine is married to Ian and they have two daughters, Sophie and Lucy. Justine enjoys dancing, running, reading with her book club and playing with her children.

John Potter

John joined ActEd in May 2002. He teaches CT4, CT5, CT6, CT8 and ST5.

John enjoys triathlons, from sprints to ironman, and cycling holidays. He also enjoys playing the guitar (badly!), snowboarding and travelling.

Ian Senator

Ian joined ActEd in 2000. He currently teaches Subjects CA3, ST7, ST8 and SA3. Ian graduated from Kent University in 1987 with a Mathematics degree. He started his actuarial career with Prudential, completing his exams in 1996. He has also worked for a London Market reinsurer.

Ian spends most of his spare time flying light aircraft and drinking wine, although not at the same time.

Stuart Underwood

Stuart joined ActEd in 2010 and currently teaches CA1, ST4 and SA4. He graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Masters degree in Mathematics and Statistics. He started his actuarial career with Mercer in 2003 and on qualification in 2007 he joined Garvins (who were acquired by Barnett Waddingham in 2008).

Stuart has had a number of roles in helping students to qualify including developing student training, study mentoring, marking assignments and exams and as an assessor for the CA2 and CA3 courses. His interests include listening to music, languages, property, travel and football.

Anna Walklate

Anna joined ActEd in 2005 and is currently teaching CT7, CA1, CA3 and ST1. After graduating from Nottingham University in 2000 with a First Class degree in Mathematics, she joined Norwich Union Healthcare in Southampton, where she lives. She completed the exams in 2004.

Anna enjoys running (anything from 10Ks to marathons), triathlons, travelling the world and walking with her black labrador Charlie.

Mark Willder

Mark joined ActEd in 2007 and currently teaches CA1, ST2 and SA2. Mark graduated with a mathematics degree from Oxford University in 1992. He then qualified as an actuary while working at Norwich Union. Before joining ActEd Mark was a lecturer at Heriot-Watt University where he completed his PhD in the use of options for with-profits policies.

Mark is married to Wenyi and they have two young children, Matthew and Helen. Mark enjoys motor racing and fossil collecting.

David Wilmot

In 1986 David graduated from Warwick University with First Class honours in Pure Mathematics and has subsequently worked for the HBOS group, Clerical Medical and The Equitable Life. He became a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries in 1992 and worked initially in product development. Having subsequently headed up a large customer service operation David chose to re-focus his career in 2001 by moving into training and subsequently joined BPP in 2002. He is a director of BPP Professional Education which offers study support to students of the Society of Actuaries in the USA. David has recently completed an MSc in Organisational Development.

David’s interests include psychology, the cinema, audio-visual technology, music of all kinds, singing, traveling and motorbikes.

Margaret Wood

Margaret joined ActEd in September 2001. She graduated in economics and statistics from the University of Southampton before completing a PGCE at the University of London. She has also gained an MSc in Advanced Educational and Social Research Methods from the Open University. Before joining Acted Margaret taught economics, business studies, maths and critical thinking at a number of colleges, most recently at Worcester Sixth Form College. Margaret teaches Subjects CT1, CT2, CT3, CT7 and CA3.

Margaret enjoys walking, music and meeting up with family and friends.

Katherine Young

Katherine joined ActEd in 2009, and currently teaches CA1, ST7, CT6 and induction courses. After obtaining a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and French she subsequently worked for Ernst & Young in London. She is a qualified actuary, with a General Insurance background. Before joining ActEd, Katherine taught management and finance courses for a range of professional qualifications, and lectured on the finance and actuarial degrees at Queen's University, Belfast.

Katherine enjoys skiing, diving and bell-ringing.

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