The Institute of Actuaries of Australia has awarded Kaise Stephan as actuary of the year for his contributions to the profession and also raising more than $160,000 for charity.

Stephan is chief actuary at Munich Re and swam the English Channel in just over 12 hours and in doing so raised more than $160,000 for the oncology unit at The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

The Actuary of the Year is awarded to someone who has made a key contribution to the business, the community, government or the profession.

"In pursuing a goal that will bring a benefit to the whole community, Kaise has demonstrated the best attributes of our profession," said Trevor Thompson, president at the Institute.

Stephan's 13-year-old cousin was diagnosed with leukemia and underwent treatment at The Children's Hospital.

He had swam the distance of Sydney to Perth plus 400 kilometres by the time he swam the channel.