Media Release : Helen Mexted appointed as inaugural Chief Executive for the New Zealand Society of Actuaries
Wednesday 17 April
The New Zealand Society of Actuaries has appointed Helen Mexted as its inaugural Chief Executive, as the 400-member strong body seeks to grow its influence and professional excellence as its members manage an increasingly diverse set of risks in their work across New Zealand.
“We’re delighted to welcome Helen Mexted as our inaugural Chief Executive,” said Scott Lewis, President, New Zealand Society of Actuaries. “This is an important new leadership role which will support our Council, Committees and Members as we lead the profession around three strategic priorities: Influence, Community and Excellence.”
“The Society has successfully operated as an effective professional body for over forty years, supporting a specialist group of more than 400 members practicing across New Zealand and internationally. It’s now time to develop and grow for the future.”
“Helen brings diverse experience in financial and professional services, membership bodies and government, and will help us to work with the industry and regulators to bring a consistent, strong voice to the work actuaries do,“ said Mr Lewis.
Helen Mexted added that she is pleased to be joining the organisation and the wider sector as it embarks on significant challenges around insurance, financial, climate and retirement risks. “It’s a critical time for the sector as we deal with increasingly complex risks, and increasing demand for the services our members provide,” said Ms Mexted.
“Actuaries are highly skilled. They use advanced mathematics, statistics, business, finance, economics, risk management, data management, demography and behavioural science to provide advice in sectors including healthcare, superannuation and KiwiSaver, insurance, banking and investments. Increasingly, we are also seeing actuaries involved in non-financial sector organisations that aim to improve outcomes through data-driven insights.”
“Over 2024, we will bring a stronger voice and leadership to the issues our members face in their work to help estimate outcomes and manage future risks,” said Ms Mexted.
Helen started at NZSA on 3 April 2024.
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Media contact: Helen Mexted, Chief Executive, 021 288 7772
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Notes for editors
About the New Zealand Society of Actuaries (NZSA)
The NZSA is the professional body representing the actuarial profession in New Zealand. It promotes and maintains a high standard of actuarial practice as well as representing and supporting its members. The NZSA:
- Develops and maintains New Zealand’s actuarial Professional Standards, liaising with government, regulators, officials and interested bodies on standards and regulations.
- Establishes and maintains the regulations of the Society, including the Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedure.
- Contributes to the development of actuarial thinking and its application through Thought Leadership and Regulatory Submissions activities.
- Advances actuaries’ skills and knowledge through Continuous Professional Development.
- Fosters a strong and supportive professional network including holding knowledge-sharing and social Events.
The Society has over 400 members and is governed by a 7-person Council.
About actuaries
Actuaries find insights by analysing the past – they estimate future outcomes and help manage future risks. Actuaries make evaluations by being skilled in a variety of disciplines, including mathematics, statistics, business, finance, economics, risk management, data management, demography and behavioural science. Actuaries provide advice in many sectors covering topics such as healthcare, superannuation and KiwiSaver, insurance, banking and investments, and are becoming increasingly involved with non-financial sector organisations that aim to improve outcomes through data-driven insights.
About NZSA’s work and strategic priorites
