Founder and CEO of Actuaries OnTap
- Where in the world do you work?
I work in Singapore. I have been here for the last ten years. Previously I worked in the UK.
- Prior to the pandemic, did you work primarily in an office or from home? What about now?
The business model at Actuaries OnTap is to reduce fixed costs as much as possible. Therefore, even before the pandemic we were all either working remotely from home or at the client’s offices depending on their preference. This helps us to keep our rates reasonable and also to ensure that the majority of the client revenue can be passed to the consultant doing the work. We have no intention to set up any office space even when the pandemic is over as we believe that this model gives our consultants and clients the maximum flexibility.
- Do you travel for work? If so, how much? To where?
Our clients are spread across Asia and we also have clients in the UK, Australia and Bermuda. The borders in Singapore have been closed for the last 18 months which has put a stop to travel. However, when things re-open I imagine I will be regularly traveling to HK as well as other Asian countries where we have the majority of our clients. My former role required frequent travel, predominantly in North Asia where I would spend around one week per month in Seoul and one week every other month in China. I would also travel to the UK, Toronto and Sydney for our quarterly Exec meetings.
- What type of company do you work for? (Ie. Traditional Insurance, Consulting Firm, Government, etc.) Name of company?
I am the CEO and Founder of Actuaries OnTap. We are an actuarial consulting firm who are looking to provide a fresh approach to how consulting is done – lower costs for our clients with the majority of the client fees going to the consultant delivering the work.
- What do you like about this work environment? What do you find challenging or what would you change?
Meetings over Zoom/Teams can be quite draining and I miss the rapport and connection you can get from face-to-face interactions with clients and consultants. I am looking forward to this changing when restrictions due to COVID are lifted and you can have dinners again with colleagues and clients.
- What aspects of working for your company and in your geographic location do you love? What would you change?
I believe the Asian insurance market is the most dynamic in the world. As a consulting company with plenty of proposition ideas, we love helping our clients enhance their existing solutions for the benefit of their customers. The different markets are very varied and the opportunities and challenges within each market are different with some common ones across many. The narrow talent pyramid is one of the biggest challenges for many insurers and we help to deliver key projects for our clients which supports them in their growth
- If you could work anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Tough one as Singapore would be right up there. When travel is allowed it is a great base to visit many different places for both work and pleasure. I would love to spend more time in NZ but that realistically will probably have to wait until retirement!