Career Case Study: Sharanjit Paddam FIAA – Principal, Climate Analytics Finity

With three decades of experience, Sharanjit is a leading expert on climate change and its impact on the banking, insurance and government sectors.

He co-leads Finity’s Perils and Climate practice, was the inaugural Convener of the Institute’s Climate Change Working group, an expert witness for the Royal Commission in National Natural Disaster Arrangements, co-authored the Institute’s reports on Home Insurance Affordability, and is a TEDx speaker. 

Awards won: 

• Actuary of the Year | 2023
• ANZIIF Insurance Leader of the Year | 2022
• Climate Alliance Risk Manager of the Year | 2020
• Actuaries Institute Distinguished Service Award | 2020
• Taylor Fry Silver Prize | Can actuaries really afford to ignore climate change? | 2014 

Why did you become an actuary? 

I thought it’d have something to do with mathematics. I was mostly wrong. Luckily, I enjoyed it! 

How did you find out about this career? 

I studied mathematics at university because I loved it and didn’t think too much about what I’d do after I completed my degree. My university’s careers service pointed me in the direction of actuarial work. 

How did you land your first actuarial job? 

Graduate recruitment round at university.

What helped you build your career/progress? 

I’ve had some great mentors over the years, but more than anything else my career progress has come from making many mistakes and learning from them. There may be ways to succeed without making mistakes, but I didn’t seem to go down that path.

From your experience, what advantages does being an actuary offer in the professional world? 

Some people might initially listen to you because of the profession’s reputation for analytical and quantitative thinking. They’ll only carry on listening if you can deliver insight and results.  

What are the top five skills that an actuary should have?

Humility, empathy, curiosity, eloquence and a healthy disdain for authority.

What exciting projects or work locations have you been exposed to? 

I’ve worked in London and Sydney. Highlights for me have been setting up Equitas in London, being Chief Editor of the Actuaries Digital magazine, starting the Institute’s climate change working group, doing the first ever climate risk scenario analysis on home loans for Commonwealth Bank in 2018, developing QBE’s global approach to managing ESG risk, appearing before the Royal Commission, publishing the Institute’s report on Home Insurance Affordability, giving a TEDxSydney talk, and most recently working with Local Aboriginal Land Councils on climate change across NSW. 

How would you summarise yourself in one sentence? 

Lucky. 

What advice would you give to young/aspiring actuaries? 

Find someone who inspires you and advocates for you, then work for them. Everything else isn’t important. 

Check out Sharanjit’s career and qualification timeline

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