The Institute of Actuaries of Australia (IAA) has named Sydney executive Darren Wickham as actuary of the year.

The award, made last week, recognises a significant contribution by an IAA member to the actuarial profession and also takes into account service to the wider community.

IAA President Greg Martin noted Mr Wickham’s contribution to superannuation and retirement income and in particular his series of “thoughtful and provocative papers” on retirement savings and pension reform.

Mr Wickham is an actuary and Principal of Retirement Risk and Finance at global human resources and finance company Mercer.