This study was conducted with the co-operation of the Groupe Consultatif Actuariel Europeen (GCAE). The GCAE has a consultative and advisory function facilitating discussion with European Union institutions on existing and proposed EU legislation which has an impact on the actuarial profession. Thirty-three actuarial associations from 30 European countries are represented in GCAE. Many GCAE members meet at various European venues at regular intervals to discuss current issues. Some members attend international meetings as frequently as twice a month and are in regular e-mail and telephone contact with colleagues. Consequently, face-to-face meetings are an essential part of their business life. This pattern of communication seems typical in European business, both in my own experiences and those of other researchers, such as Louhiala-Salminen et al. (2005), Hagen (1998) and Firth (1996).