Inspiring public trust

This year has been something of an annus horribilis for the actuarial profession in the UK. Equitable Life, Independent Insurance and endowment mortgages: the impression is of a massive scandal of incompetence or worse, in which whole generations of people have been robbed of their savings and pensions. Actuaries have been the key advisers in all these affairs. Walter Merrick , financial services ombudsman, considers what the profession can do to improve its public image.