News story

New Government Actuary appointed

Fiona Dunsire has been appointed as the new Government Actuary.

This was published under the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury has appointed Fiona Dunsire as the new Government Actuary on a 5-year fixed term appointment.

Fiona has 35 years of actuarial experience in the private sector, where she has held a variety of roles across pensions and investments, including as UK CEO of Mercer from 2012-2019.  She has been a fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries since 1993.

Fiona will be the first female Government Actuary since the creation of the role in 1917. She will take up the role following the retirement of Martin Clarke later in 2023, who has been the Government Actuary since 2014.

Fiona Dunsire said:

“The GAD has a long and proud history of producing high quality actuarial analysis across the public sector for over 100 years. I am delighted to be appointed to the role of Government Actuary. I look forward to leading the department over the coming years and continue to broaden its impact in helping to address the multigenerational issues we face as a society”.

Martin Clarke, the outgoing Government Actuary, said:

“It has been a privilege to lead the Government Actuary’s Department for over nine years. I warmly congratulate Fiona on her appointment as the new Government Actuary and wish her well in the role”.

Further information

The Government Actuary is the principal actuarial adviser to the government, leading the Government Actuary’s Department and acting as its Accounting Officer. The Government Actuary’s Department provides actuarial advice and support to the government and public sector to help understand and analyse financial risk and uncertainty for a wide range of contemporary issues, including pension valuations, insurance and social security.

An open recruitment exercise for the Government Actuary role was conducted in accordance with the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles and procedures.

Updates to this page

Published 2 August 2023