The President (Mr M.H. Field, C.B.E.): Tonight we have a double event and so commemorate the names of two distinguished actuaries: John Finlaison, our first President from 1848 to 1860; and Sir Alfred Watson, the first Government Actuary and our President from 1920 to 1922.

In 1985 the Council reviewed the procedures for awarding medals and decided to widen the eligibility of the old Silver Medal and to change its designation to a renamed Finlaison Medal. The Finlaison Medal may be awarded “in recognition of service to the Actuarial Profession in furtherance of one or more of the various objects as set out in the Royal Charter”.