61% supported a resolution to explore improved co-operation in the joint governance of the bodies and as part of this to consider annually renewable delegations • 58% supported a resolution directing Council to arrange detailed consultation with the membership; and • 53% suggested a resolution directing Council to cancel the proposed in principle vote and instead to put to members a range of options and to facilitate a single transferable vote. As a result, in late 2008 both the Faculty and Institute arranged a survey of the whole membership to ascertain their view in principle on a merger between the two bodies. At the closing date on 8 August 2008 some 1,366 Faculty members voted on this in principle survey with 65% of those voting supporting merger, whilst 6,928 Institute members voted of which 84% supported a merger. The Faculty and the Institute continues, in line with the majority vote, to continue to work up proposals for merger. However, a formal opposition group, FIDELIS — The Actuarial Defence Group (), was formed in November 2008 by several members including Past Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the two bodies to oppose the merger. A formal vote on the combined merger, name change and new charter was held on 23 July 2009, when the Faculty vote passed the required threshold but the Institute vote failed. Following extensive consultation with members of both the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries, a revised merger proposal was put to members on 25 May 2010. Voting members of the Faculty and Institute of Actuaries voted to merge the bodies to form the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. After approval by the Privy Council, the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries came into being on 1 August 2010. Examinations Qualification through the Faculty consisted of a combination of examinations and courses. The examinations could only be taken upon having officially joined the body, unlike many other countries where exams may be taken earlier; although a candidate was able to offer proof of having previously covered topics (usually while at University) in order to be exempt from taking certain subjects. The examinations were split into four sections: Core Technical (CT), Core Applications (CA), Specialist Technical (ST), and Specialist Applications (SA). Study material for the examinations was usually obtained through the official bookshop of the Faculty of Actuaries or through the Actuarial Education Company (ActEd), a subsidiary of BPP Actuarial Education Ltd.