25 – 26 March 2025 | Cloth Hall Court – University of Leeds
A two-day workshop to discuss and debate two key challenges Annual-to-Decadal Predictions of Weather and Climate Perils, and European Windstorm Risk in a Changing Climate, with leading experts and key players from the insurance sector.
Following on from our events in March 2024 and January 2025, the UK CGFI Leeds Innovation Hub, in collaboration with the Lighthill Risk Network, Oasis LMF, Journal of Catastrophe Risk and Resilience, and Maximum Information, are hosting an in-person two-day workshop.
This is an opportunity for invited representatives from science and industry to collaborate with UK CGFI Leeds and its partners, to address key challenges with the aim of moving from research to application in the industry.
Limited places; if you are an insurance/risk professional or academic working in a related area, please complete the form to register your interest. You will receive an email confirming whether you have secured a spot, based on availability.
About the Workshop
CONTEXT
The insurance industry has managed risk from climate and weather perils for centuries. However, with the advent and rapid sophistication of explicit catastrophe risk modelling in the past few decades, coupled with technological and business driven evolution of the private risk transfer market in recent years, many new opportunities for enhancing views of climate and weather peril risks are being uncovered.
For example, alternative capital flows into the traditional insurance market have encouraged many risk carriers to implement time-varying views of risk over multiple timescales, whether that be adjusting portfolios in advance of an upcoming ENSO phase, or adjusting strategy in the face of a warming climate.
Further, these evolutions are driving increased collaboration between academia and insurance based risk practitioners, allowing re-formulation of foundational catastrophe risk management questions, such as how to decompose views of risk to their constituent components (whether hazard, vulnerability or financial/market-based in nature), and how these component parts may be most optimally valuable both in isolation and in tandem.
This workshop is an opportunity for industry experts to explore how to take the latest research into application within the insurance industry, and for academic experts to understand where their research may have tangible impact in climate and weather risk.
SPEAKERS
Prof Iain
Clacher
UK CGFI
University of Leeds
Prof Jason
Lowe OBE
UK CGFI
Met Office
Dr Tom
Philp
Maximum Information
Dr Kelsey
Mulder
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Prof Len
Shaffrey
National Oceanography Centre
Dickie
Whitaker
Oasis LMF
The Lighthill Risk Network
FORMAT
Day 1: 12:30 – 18:45 followed by Networking Dinner
Day 2: 09:15 – 15:30
Opening Presentations – Challenge Introduction and Latest Science
Each day will begin with opening presentations from both the industry challenge lead and the lead researcher. These presentations will set the tone for the day, providing valuable insights and context.
The industry expert will take the lead on the day’s challenge. They will introduce the challenge in detail, offering an overview and background information. Additionally, they will suggest specific directions or “steers” for the challenge statement, guiding participants on how to approach and tackle the problem effectively.
Working Groups
Participants will then divide into working groups to discuss and debate the day’s challenge. Each working group will be guided by two facilitators: one from the industry and one academic researcher. This combination aims to create a balanced and comprehensive approach to problem-solving and idea generation within the working group.
- The industry facilitator will bring practical insights and real-world experience, ensuring that the group’s discussions and outcomes are grounded in current industry practices and challenges.
- The leading researcher will contribute cutting-edge knowledge and theoretical perspectives, fostering innovative thinking and ensuring that the group’s work is informed by the latest academic advancements.
CHALLENGE LEADS
Day 1
Industry Challenge Lead: Dr Adrian Champion, Aon
Lead Researcher: Prof Jason Lowe OBE
Day 2
Industry Challenge Lead: Dr Kelsey Mulder, Liberty Mutual
Lead Researcher: to be announced
AGENDA - DAY 1
| 12:30 | Registration, Refreshments and Networking | |
| 13:30 | Welcome | Prof Iain Clacher |
| Opening Statement | Dr Tom Philp | |
| Challenge: Annual-to-Decadal Predictions of Weather and Climate Perils | Dr Adrian Champion Prof Jason Lowe OBE | |
| Working Groups | ||
| Working Groups Presentations | ||
| Closing Remarks - relections and next steps | Dr Adrian Champion Prof Jason Lowe OBE Dickie Whitaker | |
| 18:45 | End of Day 1 | |
| 19:30 | Networking Dinner |
AGENDA - DAY 2
| 09:15 | Registration, Refreshments and Networking | |
| 09:45 | Welcome | Prof Iain Clacher |
| Opening Statement | Dr Tom Philp | |
| Challenge: European Windstorm Risk in a Changing Climate | Dr Kelsey Mulder Prof Len Shaffrey | |
| Working Groups | ||
| Lunch | ||
| Working Groups cont. | ||
| Working Groups Presentations | ||
| Closing Remarks - relections and next steps | Dr Kelsey Mulder Prof Jason Lowe OBE Dickie Whitaker | |
| 15:45 | End of Day 2 |
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Any new IP created during the event will be dedicated to the public domain, meaning it can be freely used by anyone without restrictions.
OUTPUTS
- Publications: Academic papers, research articles, and reports.
- Write-ups: Blog posts, newsletters, and online articles.
- Communication Materials: Social media updates, press releases, and promotional content.
By participating in the workshop, you acknowledge and agree that your contributions may be included in these outputs, with appropriate credit given to all contributors. This helps to share the knowledge and innovations generated during the event with a broader audience, fostering further collaboration and impact.
HOTEL
We have a provisional block booking at a nearby hotel and have secured a standard rate for one night on the 25th of March.
Detailed information will be provided to participants who secure a place in the workshop.
Participants should contact the hotel directly to confirm their booking and make payment.
REGISTRATION FEE
Participants from commercial organisation: a nominal registration fee of £100 to secure their place.
Participants from HE and non-for-profit research centres: no fee
Contact
Patricia Grant - Leeds Innovation Hub Manager
UK CGFI Leeds │ University of Leeds
Contact: p.grant@leeds.ac.uk
In partnership with
Supported by
