'One of our own' - Actuary of the year

As Christ College celebrates 40 years of co-education it is pleasing to learn that Catrin Townsend (nee Lewis) (DEW, 04-11) has recently won ‘Actuary Of The Year 2025’, presented in front of over one thousand dinner guests at the annual ‘Women in Insurance’ event in the Grosvenor House, London.

The Women in Insurance Awards is the premier awards for showcasing the achievements of women in the general insurance market.

They honour the inspiring achievements of women across all sectors of the market, all levels and all disciplines. They also offer a platform for companies shaping the discussion around how we can improve diversity within the sector as they offer a platform for applauding the most forward-thinking initiatives and businesses.

Showcasing excellence and achievement is a vital tool in the continuing battle to establish equality across all parts of the industry and in all roles. The insurance industry has made significant strides down the road toward re-focusing itself as a genuinely inclusive, equal opportunities sector but the consensus is there is still a long way to go, especially when it comes to narrowing the gender pay gap, meeting the many and varied challenges women face in the workplace, and increasing the number of women in senior and board positions. Those who make it to the top are outstanding role models but we all know there are still far too few women at the top.

'The impact she has is industry-wide and reaches beyond the shores of the UK. She is sharing and lifting others up particularly women with her podcast, the industry events she organises, her volunteering with IFoA and through her publishing work. She holds an inspirational role to other budding actuaries'

Catrin entered Christ College at eleven as Top Scholar, studying mathematics, further mathematics, physics and chemistry in the 6th form.  She gained a first-class honours degree in Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics at Warwick University. After working in several multinational insurance companies, Catrin jointly set up her own company last year.

She is the author of ‘A Risky Business: An Actuary’s Guide to Quantifying and Managing Risk in Society’, published by Palgrave Macmillan.