I’ve been active in life insurance since 2009 with a focus on ALM and capital modelling under Solvency-2 (standard formula as well as internal models). At NN Belgium (former ING Life Belgium) we prepare for the introduction of Solvency-2 at the end of 2015.

Coming from the banking sector, with a focus on credit modelling under Basel 2/3, I am well placed to appreciate the volatility of financial markets and the effect this can have on a financial player’s balance sheet.

Although my quantitative background is strong, I am a firm believer in simple and intuitive models. At best, overly complex models provide a false sense of security. At worst, they are an invitation to arbitrage. The complex trade-off between return and volatility should never be fully outsourced to an Excel sheet.