Volunteers play a vital role in the success of the IFoA. Through their expertise, commitment, and leadership, they help strengthen the profession, support members, and contribute to work that benefits a wider society.
The IFoA Volunteer Recognition Awards celebrate the individuals and teams whose contributions make a meaningful difference. Open to volunteers across our global community, the awards recognise excellence, innovation, collaboration, and impact.
Whether someone is new to volunteering or has been contributing for many years, this is an opportunity to recognise the people who help our profession thrive.
Nominations are now open
Do you know an IFoA volunteer or volunteer team whose contribution deserves recognition?
We invite members to submit a nomination and help us celebrate those who have gone above and beyond in supporting the IFoA, the profession and the communities we serve.
Nominations close: 25 October 2026
Award categories
First-Time Volunteer Award
Celebrating a new volunteer who has quickly made a positive contribution and demonstrated enthusiasm, commitment and potential.
Member Impact Award
Recognising a volunteer team whose work has delivered a measurable and meaningful impact for IFoA members, the profession or wider society.
Team Excellence Award
Celebrating a volunteer team that demonstrates outstanding collaboration, leadership, and collective achievement.
Volunteer of the Year
Recognising an individual volunteer who has made an exceptional contribution through their commitment, expertise, leadership, and impact.
In addition to category winners, judges may award a Highly Commended designation to recognise particularly strong nominations.
What the judges will be looking for
Strong nominations help the judging panel understand the difference a volunteer or team has made.
Nominations should provide evidence against the following criteria where relevant:
- Commitment
- Impact
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Teamwork
Nominations should include specific examples of achievements, and measurable outcomes that demonstrate the nominee's contribution.
Why recognition matters
Volunteering is at the heart of the IFoA. The Volunteer Recognition Awards provide an opportunity to recognise and thank the individuals and teams whose dedication, expertise and leadership help strengthen the profession, support members and create positive impact across a wider society.
By recognising outstanding contributions from across our global volunteer community, the awards help shine a light on the people and teams whose work often happens behind the scenes. They also showcase the value of volunteering and inspire others to get involved.
"Few other industries have such a culture of volunteering and that this should be celebrated and recognised." 鈥� Sean Jones FIA C.Act, 2025/26 and 2026/27 judge
Meet the judging panel
Entries will be reviewed by an experienced panel drawn from across the profession, ensuring a fair and robust assessment process based on clear criteria. The 2026/27 judging panel is chaired by IFoA President Paul Sweeting FIA C.Act and includes:
- Alice Boreman FIA C.Act
- Clarence Er FIA
- Ian Sharpe FIA C.Act
- Jyotsna Kaushik FIA C.Act
- Kudzai Chigiji FIA C.Act
- Sean Jones FIA C.Act
Inspire the next generation of volunteers
The Volunteer Recognition Awards do more than celebrate achievement. They help showcase the value of volunteering, share inspiring stories from across our global community, and encourage others to contribute their skills and expertise.
By submitting a nomination, you can help ensure exceptional volunteers receive the recognition they deserve.
Volunteer stories
The Volunteer Recognition Awards celebrate the impact volunteers have across the IFoA community.
2025/26 Member Impact Award winner: Social Care Working Party
"The Member Impact Award was a wonderful recognition of what can be achieved through the voluntary contribution of actuaries..." 鈥� Tom Kenny FIA C.Act, 2025/26 Member Impact Award winner
2025/26 Volunteer of the Year winner: Clara Hughes FIA
In The Actuary Podcast, Clara Hughes FIA reflects on her volunteering experience, the value of contributing to the profession and what receiving Volunteer of the Year meant to her.
2026 winners
In February 2026 we held the inaugural ceremony of Volunteer Recognition Awards.
Winners:
- Volunteer of the Year: Clara Hughes FIA
- Member Impact: Social Care Working Party
- Team Excellence: Continuous Mortality Investigation Mortality Projections Committee
- First Time Volunteer: Leigh Costanza, IFoA student member
Highly Commended:
- Volunteer of the Year: Charchit Agrawal FIA C.Act
- Member Impact: Helena Ingram FIA C.Act
- Team Excellence: Scottish Board and Women Actuaries Community Committee
- First Time Volunteer: Anoushka Kothari FIA C.Act
Contact us
If you have any questions about the awards, you can email us at volunteer.awards@actuaries.org.uk