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Harnessing the Year of the Fire Horse: Your 2026 professional development plan
Actuarial careers
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Welcome to 2026 — the Year of the Fire Horse, which comes around once every 60 years, bringing bold, fast-paced energy that favours action, breakthrough and calculated risk-taking.
Over the past year, I've spoken with many actuaries and one theme consistently emerges: how do we continue lifelong learning in ways that feel purposeful, achievable and relevant?
The Fire Horse offers a powerful metaphor for professional development this year. Rather than treating Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a compliance exercise, let's use it as the engine that propels our careers forward — turning ambitious ideas into tangible progress.
The challenge isn't finding CPD opportunities — there are plenty available. The challenge is choosing learning that genuinely supports where you are now and where you want to go next.
I consistently hear:
These are real concerns, especially given the different working environments, time zones and responsibilities our members manage. What makes the biggest difference isn't doing more CPD — it's approaching it more deliberately.
Members who feel most positive about CPD describe simple habits rather than detailed plans. Some block out regular time each month. Others prefer shorter sessions and keep a running list of topics to explore when time allows.
CPD becomes far less stressful when it's treated as a regular part of the year, not something to catch up on later. Even a few hours monthly build real momentum — exactly the kind of steady, purposeful movement the Fire Horse year encourages.
The Institute offers formats to fit different schedules: webinars on emerging topics like AI and climate risk, Insights Sessions with industry experts, technical workshops, Thought Leadership publications and Actuaries Digital articles. The CPD Dashboard in your Member Portal lets you track progress throughout the year.
Effective CPD isn't just about technical skills. I frequently hear members wanting to develop across complementary areas like:
Together, these skills help actuaries contribute not only through technical analysis, but also through influence and insight.
For qualified actuaries looking to deepen expertise, the Institute's specialist microcredentials offer structured pathways in data science, climate risk, banking and regulatory frameworks — designed to fit alongside work commitments while giving you recognised credentials that signal your expertise.
To stay ahead, free member resources offer curated papers, videos and podcasts on data and AI, climate and sustainability and IFRS 17 — developed by practitioners and updated regularly.
We've noticed in-person events are drawing strong attendance. While virtual learning continues to play a key role, many members particularly value the chance to reconnect face-to-face — to build relationships, share experiences and ask questions directly.
A few events worth considering in 2026:
Attending even one in-person event a year can make a real difference. As a member, many events are free to attend, and early bird pricing for major events offers substantial savings. You can view the full calendar here .
Beyond attending events and completing CPD, many members find that volunteering adds a different dimension to their professional development.
Practice Committees typically meet monthly or quarterly, and most chairs welcome members who'd like to attend as observers before making a longer-term commitment. It's a good way to see if the committee's work aligns with your interests. You can also contribute by writing for Actuaries Digital, providing feedback on consultation responses, or helping with member networking events — often more flexible commitments that work around busy periods.
Through volunteering, members tell me they gain exposure to emerging issues, build relationships beyond their immediate organisation and develop a clearer perspective on where the profession is heading. For those considering leadership roles, committee work provides valuable experience in stakeholder management and professional collaboration.
If you're thinking about your approach to professional development this year, here are a few places to start. Reflect on where you'd like to be professionally in the next year or two — is there one area you'd like to strengthen? Block out regular time for CPD in your calendar, even a few hours each month. Register for one event that lets you step outside your usual routine and connect with others. And if you're working towards qualification, connect with study peers through the Institute's networks.
Professional Standard 1 sets out the minimum CPD requirements for members including at least 2 hours of Professionalism Training. CPD activities should be relevant to your current role, in related disciplines that bear on your work, in an area you're looking to move into, or broadening your professional skills and experience. For everything else — free learning resources, microcredentials, CPD tracking and upcoming events — visit the Member Portal .
The actuarial profession is global, and our community spans continents. Lifelong learning helps us stay connected across different markets and time zones, while strengthening both individual careers and the profession as a whole.
As we move through the Year of the Fire Horse, let's channel that bold, forward-moving energy into our own development. Small, consistent steps add up — and you don't have to take them alone. I look forward to catching up with many of you at Institute events throughout the year.
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