UCL INSTITUTE FOR RISK & DISASTER REDUCTION

Dickie Whitaker is Director of the Financial Services Knowledge Transfer Network and the Lighthill Risk Network. He has held board positions in analytical, Broking and consulting services in London and New York with Guy Carpenter, one of the worlds largest reinsurance brokers. He left in 2010 to focus on activities with both the Lighthill Risk Network and Financial Services KTN.  Dickie has consulted on risk transfer mechanisms in several countries around the world and also for Insurance and Reinsurance companies in London.  In 2011 Dickie was one of the founders and Director of Oasis Loss Modelling Framework, a not for profit catastrophe modelling platform.

Joel Gill has a degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge, an MSc in Engineering Geology from the University of Leeds, and is currently a NERC/ESRC funded PhD student at King's College London, in the Earth and Environmental Dynamics Research Group. Joel has a broad interest in the application of geology to international development, and the development of improved relationships and communication between scientists and other stakeholders. He is the Founder and National Director of a young and growing organisation, Geology for Global Development (GfGD). GfGD works with students and recent graduates across the UK to raise awareness of the important role geology can play within international development, and equip them to make a better and more sustainable contribution throughout their careers.