Fathom and Reask partner to create combined wind and flood risk models
Users will be able to access combined risk data on floods, tropical cyclones and hurricanes with an unprecedented level of detail
A new strategic partnership aims to provide insurers, banks and ESG-focused investors with an unparalleled view of risk data on the combined impact of flood and wind events (hurricanes, tropical cyclones and typhoons).
Fathom, a leading flood risk modelling business is partnering with Reask, a climate risk analytics firm specialised in atmospheric hazard models. The collaboration will initially enable each firm to re-sell the other’s products and services to new and existing clients, and from 2023 the two companies aim to bring new hazard data maps and catastrophe risk models to market, covering the combined perils of flood and wind.
Recent events have proved the growing impact of climate change on extreme weather, and there is in addition an increased focus at Board level on the environmental element of ESG. As a result of this, insurers and the wider financial services industry have a greater need than ever to understand the combined risk of floods and hurricanes, and how the intensity of both will change and correlate in years to come.
“Fathom and Reask share the same values and approach. We’re working towards the same goals and have many shared customers so this partnership was an easy decision for us both,” said Dr Andrew Smith, COO and co-founder of Fathom. “Both organisations are led by scientists, who are committed to being transparent and open about the data, methodologies and machine learning techniques that sit at the heart of our models. This shared ‘glass box’ approach means that risk professionals can understand the work our academics put in, and customers know they can trust our models.”
The news follows a Lloyd’s of London report published in February 2022 that identified the need for the industry to model the interrelated catastrophe risk of flooding and tropical cyclones.
Thomas Loridan, CEO at Reask said: “Cyclones bring heavy rains which cause floods. High winds cause tidal surges and large waves which increase coastal flooding – understanding the combined risk of wind and flood events will only get more important as we feel the impact of climate change. Fathom is a world leader in flood risk research and modelling, and we are proud to work with them to provide a new climate risk model that will benefit the insurance world and beyond.”
Both Reask and Fathom are already well established in the industry, and customers have welcomed the news. Marek Shafer, Managing Director at Vave – part of Canopius Group, said: “Vave has strong ties with Reask and Fathom. Both organisations share our commitment to scientific rigour and the championing of novel technology to underwrite complex risk. Best in class data is a critical element of our algorithmic underwriting platform and we’re looking forward to seeing the innovation this partnership will deliver.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information contact:
Rebecca Holbrook at Yours.Sincerely: Fathom@yourssincerely.online
Simon Hayes at NextGen Communications : simon@nextgencomms.com
About Fathom
Founded in 2013, Fathom gives risk management professionals the most scientifically robust tools and intelligence for understanding the climate’s impact on water risk. By publishing cutting-edge peer-reviewed academic research and applying it to real-world challenges, Fathom powers better decision-making for (re)insurance, civil engineering, corporate risk, financial services, disaster response and government. Fathom’s dedicated team of scientists harness their passion for innovation and the environment to develop rigorous catastrophe models and comprehensive mapping and geospatial data that make a real-world difference to customers and communities worldwide. For more information visit http://www.fathom.global
About Reask
Founded in 2018 out of Sydney, Australia and with operations in London and Zurich, Reask is a technology start-up leveraging machine learning and high-performance computing to build the next generation of climate and catastrophe risk management tools. Reask was born out of challenges identified by the re/insurance industry with how it builds, delivers, and renews catastrophe risk solutions, and the existential threat of a changing climate to all corners of the world.