Olivier Steiger holds a M.Sc. and a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Zurich. He is a fully qualified member of the Swiss Actuarial Association (SAV). Olivier is a member of the Board of the SAV and chairs the Education and Science Division. He comes with extensive experience in reserving, pricing, solvency and regulatory issues.
Please describe your function at PRS.
In November 2022 I joined the PRS team as a consulting actuary. I am involved in reserving, pricing, solvency and regulatory issues.
In your view, what makes up the success of PRS?
The PRS team consists of actuaries with profound knowledge and sophisticated skills. Their desire and ability to understand the specific needs of the customers and their joy to develop bespoke solutions are key success factors.
What do you like most about having direct contact with customers?
Having direct contact with our customers is very rewarding. Every contact is unique and gives us the chance to look at facts from a different perspective. By directly interacting with our customers, we can immediately see if we are on the right track and ensure that our products fit their needs.
Successes and failures shape our lives. From which did you learn most?
Failures are more painful than successes, but possibilities to improve arise from both. I think the most important thing is to continually reflect on what went well and what can still be improved.
As a child, did you have a dream job?
The adventurous life of an archeologists, being able to solve ancient riddles and discover relics of lost cultures, seemed very appealing to me when I was a young boy. Later, my interest turned to more contemporary riddles to be tackled with mathematics and actuarial methods.
What would you do differently if you could start again from the beginning?
Of course, in retrospect one is always wiser and could do many things better. But under the same conditions as they were originally, I would not do anything differently.
What makes you angry?
Narrowminded and stubborn behavior. I am convinced that living in a complex world and addressing complex challenges we must cope with many different influences and their interdependence. When we limit ourselves too much or neglect information, we risk ending up with suboptimal results – or maybe even dangerously wrong ones.
What do you like doing most in your leisure time?
During my days off I love spending time with my family and my friends. On the other hand, I appreciate doing all kinds of sports or reading an exciting book.
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