This discussion meeting was on the subject of business ethics, with particular reference to the work of actuaries.

As an introduction to the meeting, copies of the paper, ‘Business Ethics: the New Bottom Line’, by Sheena Carmichael, were distributed to members of the Institute.

Sheena Carmichael is the director of ETHOS, a consultancy dedicated to helping organisations identify and manage ethical issues. She is a research associate at the European Institute of Business Ethics at Nigenrode University in the Netherlands.

The paper ‘Business Ethics: the New Bottom Line’, was published in 1995 by Demos, which “is an independent think-tank committed to radical thinking on the long-term problems facing the United Kingdom and other advanced industrial societies.

It aims to develop the ideas — both theoretical and practical — that will shape the politics of the 21st century, and to improve the breadth and quality of political debate.” It is a registered charity.

The paper has not been reproduced in British Actuarial Journal, but further information can be obtained from:

Demos, 9 Bridewell Place, London, EC4V 6AP; telephone: 0171 353 4479; facsimile, 0171 353 4481; email, martin@demos.demon.co.uk