About Acted

About Acted

The Actuarial Education Company (ActEd) is a subsidiary of BPP Actuarial Education Ltd. ActEd is contracted to provide actuarial tuition for students on behalf of Institute and Faculty Education Ltd (IFE), a subsidiary of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA). The IFoA, through IFE, set ActEd's prices each year. The Office of Tuition Monitoring (OTM, a function of the IFoA) has responsibility for monitoring the quality of aspects of ActEd's services to ensure that they meet certain standards. You may meet members of OTM at ActEd's tutorials from time to time.

All aspects of the examination process (Syllabus, Core Reading, exam dates, exam entry, exam setting, exam delivery, exam marking, communication of exam results, and production of Examiners' Reports) are the direct responsibility of the IFoA. Full details of the examinations are given on the IFoA website.

If you have any comments about ActEd's services please email us in the first instance. We will endeavour to act on any suggestions or complaints and we will copy correspondence to OTM where appropriate. If you are unhappy with our response, you may wish to follow BPP's formal complaints procedure or take your complaint directly to OTM.

Fancy Working For Acted?

We are always keen to meet highly motivated individuals with excellent communications skills and a strong academic history to join ActEd's team of tutors and coaches. Please read our Recruitment information for actuaries for further information.

At the moment, we are particularly keen to meet you if you're able and willing to teach either Subject SP5 (Investment and Finance Specialist Principles) and/or Subject SA7 (Investment and Finance Specialist Advanced). If you are interested in joining ActEd, please send an email to Ian Senator.

Tutor & Coach profiles

• Greg Ardan
• Gresham Arnold
• David Beckett-Jones
• Lynn Birchall
• Anna Bishop
• Duncan Brydon
• Sarah Byrne
• Natasha Campbell
• Darrell Chainey
• Michael Clarkson
• Emma Davies
• Helen Evans
• Emma Francis
• Andrea Goude
• Steve Hales
• Richie Holway
• Joe Hook
• Simon James
• Alisha Johnson
• David Johnson
• Alvin Kissoon
• John Lee
• Deborah MacDonald
• Andrew Martin
• Heather Martin
• Katie McGrath
• Colin McKee
• Darren Michaels
• Emma Molloy
• Alicja Nocon
• James Nunn
• Justine Peggs
• John Potter
• Ian Senator
• Lindsay Smitherman
• Anna Walklate
• Nicola Wallis
• Dawn Whittaker
• Mark Willder
• David Wilmot
• Katherine Young

ActEd support staff

Greg Ardan

Greg joined ActEd in January 2022 and currently teaches subjects CM1, CB2, CP3 and ActEd’s Induction Course. Greg completed a degree in physics at the University of Nottingham, graduating in 2003. He then spent 15 years at the actuarial consultancy Hymans Robertson between 2004 and 2019, specialising in pensions, qualifying as a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in 2008. Between 2019 and 2021 Greg worked as the Head of Actuarial and Technical Services at the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), before joining ActEd in 2022.

Outside of work, Greg lives in Reigate, Surrey with his wife and son. He has a wide range of interests including playing the oboe with amateur orchestras, singing with choirs, playing tennis, chess, and running.

Gresham Arnold

Gresham currently teaches CB2, SP4, SP5 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 Aon), where he worked in their Birmingham office. He completed the actuarial exams in 2001. In 2016 he gained an MA in Online and Distance Education from the Open University.

Gresham enjoys trail running, hill walking and spending time with his family.

David Beckett-Jones

David joined ActEd in 2022 as a coach on the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship programme. Having studied at the universities of Warwick and Essex, David trained in general insurance with Aviva, qualifying as an FIA in 2009. He has worked within general insurance pricing for Ageas and Centrica.

Managing sporting fixtures for 3 teenage children occupies most of his spare time, though he also enjoys hiking, skiing, and genealogy.

Lynn Birchall

Lynn currently teaches Subjects CB1, CP1, SP2 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 teaches Subjects CM2, CP1 and SP9. After obtaining a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and French from Swansea University in 1997, she subsequently worked for Norwich Union (now Aviva) in Norwich and AXA-Sunlife (now also Aviva) in Bristol. She is a qualified actuary, has a life insurance background and has marked exams for the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. She has been heavily involved at ActEd in various projects, including setting up the Online Classroom, Live Online tutorials and the Actuarial Technician Apprenticeship Programme.

Anna lives in Oxford, plays the oboe and piano and is trying to walk the AA’s 1001 walks around Great Britain by the time she is 80. She has a son at primary school.

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 teaches / has taught SP8 and SA3.

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

Sarah Byrne

Sarah joined ActEd in 2011 and currently teaches CP1, CP2, SP1 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 Willis 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 lives in Surrey with her husband and two young boys. She is a member of a local amateur dramatics group and gets involved both on-stage and behind the scenes. She also enjoys travelling (although prefers shorter flights these days!).

Natasha Campbell

Natasha joined ActEd in 2016 as a Coach for the Level 4 Actuarial Technician Apprenticeship programme and now also works on the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship team. Natasha has a degree in Maths and qualified as an actuary in 2014 while working in pensions consultancy.

When not working or chasing after her 2 children, you may find Natasha running around the streets and local parks, and she aims to run a marathon one day. She also enjoys knitting and sewing, making clothes for herself and willing family members.

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 CM1 and SP2.

He is heavily involved as an (unfit) player, coach and umpire with a local hockey club and a governor/trustee of a secondary school.

Michael Clarkson

Michael joined ActEd in January 2021 as a Coach on the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship programme but is now a tutor teaching Subjects CS1, CM1 and CP3. Michael graduated from Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh in 2006 with a degree in Actuarial Maths and Statistics and qualified as an actuary in 2013. He has worked in the life insurance sector for Prudential, Standard Life and The Phoenix Group in a variety of roles.

Michael is married with 2 young kids. He is a keen squash player and takes part in the occasional triathlon (slowly).

Emma Davies

Emma is the Programme Manager for our Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship Programme and is also one of the Coaches.

Emma graduated from the University of Cambridge with a First Class degree in Mathematics. After a year out travelling, she joined KPMG where she qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries. Emma then worked at Asda, as the Technical and Communications Manager for their pension schemes, before joining BPP ActEd in 2019.

Outside of work, Emma enjoys travelling, baking, walking in the countryside and spending time with her family.

Helen Evans

Helen joined ActEd at the start of 2000 and teaches Subjects CB1, CP1, CP3 and SP4. After obtaining a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Exeter University in 1992, Helen joined Sun Life in Bristol as an actuarial student. She became an FIA in 1997, and subsequently worked for Friends Provident as a marketing Actuary.

Helen enjoys spending time looking after her family, dancing, cooking and walking the dog.

Emma Francis

Emma joined BPP as a qualified Actuary in 2015 after spending 12 years working within Financial Services. During this time she worked in Deloitte, EY and HBOS/LBG in Guernsey, Bristol and most recently Edinburgh where she managed a large team of actuaries and analysts. Emma has a 1st degree in Mathematics which she earned whilst studying in Bristol. During her degree she spent a year working for the Ministry of Defence within a statistics department. Emma teaches Subjects CM1, CP1, SP2 and SA2 as well as Induction Courses.

Outside of work Emma loves to travel and has been to all corners of the earth, particularly enjoying the bullet trains of Japan and the salt lakes of Bolivia. Emma is also a keen runner and has completed half marathons in Bristol, Bath and Edinburgh and hopes to one day complete the London marathon.

Andrea Goude

Andrea joined in 2021. She currently teaches Subjects CS1 and CS2. She obtained a 1st class honours degree in Applied Statistics at Northumbria University. She started her actuarial career at Sun Life in Bristol but then moved on to work in to pensions for Mercer Human Resource Consulting where she qualified as an actuary in 2001. She then went on to be a marker for ActEd and the Institute.

In her spare time she enjoys running and swimming, and the odd triathlon and has recently taken up paddle boarding.

Steve Hales

Steve joined ActEd in 2013, and currently teaches CM2, CP1 and CP2 as well as Induction Courses. Steve worked at The Phoenix Group (the UK’s largest closed life and pension fund consolidator) for ten years in a variety of different roles, and qualified in 2010. He later went on to become the Actuarial Sciences Programme Director at the University of Leicester.

Steve is also busy at home with three children, and a small church group.

Richie Holway

Richie graduated from the University of Southampton in 2013 with a first class degree in Economics and Actuarial Science before going on to join Mercer in their pension consulting business. After a number of years working across multiple teams at Mercer, Richie joined ActEd and currently teaches CP1,CB2 and CM1.

Richie's interests include travelling, scuba diving and exploring the new forest and its surrounding beaches with his wife, daughter and dog.

Joe Hook

Joe currently teaches CM1, CM2 and SP5. He graduated from Durham University in 2012 with a degree in Natural Sciences. Prior to joining ActEd he spent 7 years at Legal & General working in both Pensions and Group Protection across multiple sites. He qualified as a fellow in 2018 and has marked SP2 and SA2 for the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Joe enjoys most sports but is a particularly keen runner, having run 6 marathons and an ultra-marathon. He supports Hartlepool United and hopes to have visited all of the 92 football league grounds by 2025.

Simon James

Simon joined ActEd in 2007. He is currently Director of Actuarial Apprenticeships. He teaches / has taught CB1, SP5, CP2, CP3 and SP9. 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.

Alisha Johnson

Alisha joined ActEd in 2022 as an Actuarial Coach on the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship programme. She graduated from the University of Bath with a first class degree in Mathematical Sciences and went on to qualify as an Actuary in 2016. Alisha started her actuarial career working in pensions at First Actuarial, and then moved over to work in general insurance at NFU Mutual for 8 years.

Alisha spends most of her spare time playing or coaching badminton. Alisha plays for her local club and county, and coaches a junior county squad. Alisha also likes travelling the world with her husband and discovering new places.

David Johnson

Dave joined ActEd in 2020 and teaches subject CS2. He graduated from Birmingham University with a first class degree in Mathematics in 2001 and qualified as an actuary in 2007. His working background is mostly in the life sector.

When not working Dave spends most of his time either with his children, his running club or his choir.

Alvin Kissoon

Alvin joined ActEd in 2021 and currently teaches CM2 and CS2. Alvin graduated with a First Class degree in Actuarial Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2006 and became an FIA in 2008. In 2012 he obtained the Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary (CERA) qualification. Before joining ActEd Alvin worked at PwC for 15 years, specialising in banking and life insurance and working in the UK and Australia. He has also been a marker and an Examiner with the IFoA prior to joining ActEd.

Alvin is a former British junior chess champion and continues to play chess in his spare time. He also enjoys puzzles and board games.

John Lee

John joined ActEd in July 2001 and currently teaches Subjects CS1, CS2 and parts of CM1. John graduated in Mathematics from Oxford University in 1991 before completing a PGCE also at Oxford. John taught mathematics, statistics and finance at a number of schools, and was Head of Mathematics at his last school.

John qualified as an FFA in 2008 and then promptly took a sabbatical to attend King’s Bible College. John now writes comedy books in his spare time to make up for his lack of social life and is now the proud owner of actuarialjokes.com.

John is married with four children (Lizzie, Josiah, Hannah and Levi) and daily wonders how his wife still finds the same jokes funny after more than 25 years of marriage.

Deborah MacDonald

Debbie joined ActEd in February 2024 as an Actuarial Skills Coach. Prior to this she spent over 20 years in a variety of life consulting and industry roles having worked for Standard Life, PwC, KPMG, M&G and most recently Grant Thornton where she was a Director and sponsored the department’s people agenda.

In her spare time Debbie enjoys photography, travel and walking with her very energetic dog.

Andrew Martin

Andrew joined ActEd in December 2018 and currently teaches CS2. He studied MMORSE at the University of Warwick and graduated with a First Class Honours degree in 2011. He started his career in the pensions team at Deloitte where he qualified as an Actuary in 2014. He subsequently worked for BT and Aon providing data analytics and pensions consulting services.

In his spare time, Andrew does Taekwondo and enjoys playing badminton and five-a-side.

Heather Martin

Heather joined ActEd in September 2018 as an Apprenticeship Coach for the Level 4 Actuarial Technician programme. Following a period of maternity leave in 2019/20, Heather returned as a Coach for the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship programme. Heather graduated from Keele University in 2008 with a degree in Maths and started her actuarial career with Barnett Waddingham, qualifying as an actuary in 2013. Heather spent her ten years at BW working in pensions, as well as overseeing study co-ordination for the firm.

Heather is married with two young children, so doesn't really have spare time! When she gets a minute, she tries to keep fit, and pre-kids was partial to the odd half marathon. Heather also loves live music, and meeting her lifelong hero Gary Barlow almost tops getting married as one of her favourite moments ever.

Katie McGrath

Katie joined ActEd in 2023 as an Actuarial Coach on the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship programme. She graduated from Heriot Watt University with a first-class degree in Actuarial Science and qualified in 2016. Katie started her actuarial career with Hymans Robertson, a pension consultancy firm, before becoming a product specialist with Quilter, a wealth management firm.

Katie enjoys keeping active, in particular hiking. She also loves travelling and experiencing new cultures.

Colin McKee

Colin joined ActEd in 1999 and currently teaches Subjects SA7, SP5, CP1, CB1. 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.

Darren Michaels

Darren joined ActEd in 2014 and currently teaches SP7, SP8 and SA3. Darren graduated with a First Class degree in Maths from Cambridge University and qualified as an Actuary in 1998. He has 20 years of General Insurance consulting experience, primarily in the London Market, having previously worked for Bacon & Woodrow, KPMG, Tillinghast (now Willis Towers Watson) and Deloitte. Darren was the chairman of the Institute of Actuaries’ General Insurance Research Organising (GIRO) Committee from 2007-2010, which amongst other things is responsible for running the UK’s annual General Insurance Actuarial Conference.

Outside of work, Darren is a qualified tennis umpire and has regularly umpired at tennis tournaments around the world, including Wimbledon, the Australian and US Opens and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Emma Molloy

Emma joined Acted in 2020 as a Skills Coach on both the Level 4 Actuarial Technician and the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship programmes. Emma has an undergraduate degree in Economics from the University of Warwick and a Masters degree in Management and Finance from the University of Bath. Emma qualified as an actuary in 2015 while working at an investment consultancy in London.

Outside of work, Emma enjoys most sports, being a particularly keen cyclist, runner and netball player.

Alicja Nocon

Alicja joined ActEd in 2022 as an Actuarial Coach on the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship programme. She qualified as a Life and Risk Actuary in 2015 and has worked for Deloitte, Legal & General and Munich Re. Alicja has a degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Edinburgh and a Master's degree in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology from University of East London. She is passionate about making organisations more neuroinclusive and also works as a Neurodiversity Coach, Trainer and Consultant.

Outside of work, Alicja lives with her husband and their two rescue cats. She likes to keep active and is a keen parkrun runner, swimmer and long-distance hiker. She also loves languages and likes to explore new places and cultures.

James Nunn

James joined ActEd in January 2023 and currently teaches CM1, CP1 and CP2. James is a fully qualified actuary and became an FIA after gaining a first-class honours degree in Mathematics, Operational Research and Economics from Essex University; he qualified whilst working in pension consulting but has also worked in life insurance.

When not working, James likes to spend time with his young family, and he also enjoys running - middle to long distances.

Justine Peggs

Justine joined ActEd in July 2003 and currently teaches CB2, SP4 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 became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2014.

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

John Potter

John joined ActEd in May 2002. He teaches Subjects CM2, CS2 and SP6 as well as ActEd’s Induction Course.

John is a cycling author and competes for Great Britain in his age group at triathlon. He loves a good pub quiz and competes regularly in the Derbyshire pub quiz league. He is very bad on the guitar but still enjoys it. John is happy enough on a cycling or walking holiday in Europe with his girlfriend, Laura and their baby daughter, Jennifer.

Ian Senator

Ian joined ActEd in 2000. He currently teaches Subjects CP3, SP7, SP8 and SA3. Ian has a Mathematics degree from Kent University. He started his actuarial career with Prudential, completing his exams in 1996. He has also worked in the London Market.

Ian is a very active volunteer for a national feline charity, and describes himself as having OCD (Obsessive Cat Disorder).

Lindsay Smitherman

Lindsay joined ActEd at the start of 2017 and currently teaches CP1, CP3, SP2 and SA2. She obtained a 1st class Mathematics degree from the University of Warwick in 1989 and qualified as an FIA in 1993. She has previously worked as a life insurance actuary in a couple of large UK life offices, as a consultant with KPMG and as an Education Actuary with the IFoA.

In her spare time she enjoys music (watching indie bands, going to festivals), running, travel (particularly exploring all corners of the USA) and has a soft spot for greyhounds.

Anna Walklate

Anna joined ActEd in 2005 and is currently teaching CB2, CP1, and SP1. After graduating from Nottingham University in 2000 with a First Class degree in Mathematics, she joined Norwich Union Healthcare (now Aviva Healthcare) in Southampton, where she lives with her partner, and three young children. She completed the exams in 2004.

Anna enjoys running (anything from 5Ks to ultramarathons) and generally keeping fit.

Nicola Wallis

Nicola joined Acted in 2019 as a Skills Coach on both the Level 4 and Level 7 apprenticeship programmes. She studied mathematics at Lancaster University and qualified as an actuary in 2006. She started her actuarial career at Equitable Life before moving to Ernst & Young, and finally Swiss Re.

Nicola is married with two young boys. When she has any free time, she enjoys embroidery, walking and relaxing with a glass of wine and a good book. In the future, she hopes to travel more and would love to return to Japan.

Dawn Whittaker

Dawn joined ActEd in 2023 and is an Actuarial Skills Coach on the Level 7 Actuary Apprenticeship program. She is a graduate of the University of Salford where she studied Business Operation & Control before starting her journey to qualify as FIA. In her industry career she worked for a range of life companies throughout England. Alongside this she supported the actuarial profession in a variety of volunteer roles including being Chair of the Life Conference. She is also a past marker for ActEd.

Dawn loves line dancing (no cowboy hats or boots involved!) and watching live theatre. She likes to escape her land locked home as often as possible to be at the coast or indulging in ocean cruises, partaking in good food and perhaps the occasional dance onboard too.

Mark Willder

Mark joined ActEd in 2007 and currently teaches CM2, CP1, SP1, SP2, SA1 and SA2. Mark graduated with a mathematics degree from Oxford University in 1992. He then qualified as an actuary while working at Norwich Union (now part of AVIVA). 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 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. Between 2004 and 2007 David was a director of BPP Professional Education, offering study support to students of the Society of Actuaries in the USA. He has completed an MSc in Organisational Development, and in 2012 he obtained the Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary (CERA) qualification. David’s interests include psychology, the cinema, audio-visual technology, music of all kinds, singing, traveling and motorbikes.

Katherine Young

Katherine joined ActEd in 2009 and teaches CS2, SP7, SP8 and SA3. 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.