The Actuaries Institute has appointed David Bell as CEO and announced it is bidding to host the 2022 International Congress of Actuaries.

Mr Bell will join the institute next month from Ogilvy Public Relations, where he was group MD corporate. He has also worked at Westpac as GM corporate affairs and spent a decade as CEO of the Australian Bankers’ Association.

Actuaries Institute President John Newman says Mr Bell joins the institute at a crucial time, with Australia facing uncertainty around issues such as the ageing population.

“He appreciates the long-term value the actuarial profession adds in both the private and public sectors and in contributing to public policy debate,” Mr Newman said.

Mr Bell succeeds Melinda Howes, who has left to join AMP in a senior management role.

The institute has presented its bid for the international congress to a panel of 15 representatives from the International Actuarial Association.

The chosen site will be named at next April’s congress in Washington DC.