Frequently Asked Questions
General
- What does AKG stand for?
- Historically AKG was an abbreviation of Anderton Kemp Gee, names
associated with the company’s formation. The driving force behind AKG's
creation was the late Nick Anderton, a well known, respected and innovative actuary.
- Who owns AKG?
- AKG is a private limited company. Its shareholders include its directors and senior management.
- How can I find out what is available from AKG?
- Whilst a range of useful information is available on this site, both for
explanation and access (see Product Services and Shop) we would also welcome you
getting in touch and will endeavour to help with any questions you might have please contact us.
- Who’s who at AKG?
- The directors and senior management are:
- Derek Holtham MA FIA
- Nigel Balchin BSc FIA
- Gary Bown BSc FIA
- Jim Ward MBA ACII APFS
- Guy Vanner BA MSc
- What is an Actuary?
- Actuaries deal with the financial understanding of the future. 'Making Financial
Sense of the Future' is a phrase coined by the professional governing body the
Institute of Actuaries and the Institute's website can supply amplifications to this
topic (www.actuaries.org.uk)
- Who are AKG’s customers?
- AKG is a business to business company providing information and services to a range of financial service organisations. These include:
- Life Assurance Companies
- Fund Mangers
- Friendly Societies
- Banks
- Information Portals and Software Providers
- Intermediaries
- Financial Publishers
Ratings
- What Ratings does AKG produce?
- AKG produces a range of ratings. A principal area being Financial Strength,
with further key ratings including; Future Performance, Transparency and Service
AKG Ratings are widely available in the market, both directly from AKG and often
from the rated entity itself. But also in a wide range of leading portals,
software systems and publications.
- How does AKG’s ratings scale(s) work?
- Whilst the assessment behind AKG ratings is complex, the scale used for
presentation is deliberately simple to maintain accessibility and comparability.
The scales used are a 1 (lowest) – 5 (highest) scale for star ratings and A
(highest), B+, B, B-, C, D (lowest) for overall strength rating.
Products
- Delivery mechanism - How quickly will I receive reports ordered online?
- Reports ordered online are available immediately via our automated
download system. Products ordered offline requiring postage delivery
will be posted within one working day unless otherwise advised.
- Is there another way to order reports?
- In addition to the on-line facility, orders can be placed by email, fax or
by telephone. Companies placing orders in these ways will have goods dispatched
by invoice.
- Can I print electronic reports?
- Yes, whilst copyright restrictions prevent onward distribution or sale of the
reports either in entirety or part, purchasers may print copies of any purchased
AKG report for their own use.
- Can I forward or add reports to our network/intranet?
- Please contact us to establish appropriate use and permission for any
forwarding or presentation of AKG reports either in entirety or part. We are happy
to discuss such use and can specify any licence requirement. Please contact us.
Updated Reports & Ratings
- What happens if a rating or report is updated mid-year?
- The ratings and assessments which sit alongside them are produced using AKG's leading approach of
providing a long term view. However, ratings and assessments are under constant scrutiny and AKG has
the facility to review and reissue ratings within the context of its Company Profile & Financial Strength Reports.
Where a Company Profile & Financial Strength Report has been purchased within AKG's annual cycle
(all reports being issued in around October) and that report/rating changes mid-year, the revised
report/rating will be provided to the purchaser without further charge.
Revised ratings are also provided directly to the leading third party selection systems and portals.
Payment
- Is the payment method secure?
- Yes, we utilise the market leading World Pay service to provide secure online ordering and payment.
- Is there a delivery charge?
- Online orders are free of delivery or handling charges.
Offline orders above £50 are also free of delivery or handling fees and the fee for offline orders below this amount is £6.00.
