A former forecaster with the Bermuda Weather Service has been appointed head of catastrophe research at global specialty (re)insurer Canopius Group.

Canopius said Geoffrey Saville will enhance the group’s science-led understanding and approach to climate-related risk. He will be based in London and report to Paul Wilkinson, head of risk strategy and analytics.

Canopius Group Limited is domiciled in Jersey, has a Class 4 Reinsurance company in Bermuda, is one of the top ten insurers in the Lloyd’s of London insurance market and has other operations in Australia, Singapore, the United States and China.

Mr Saville was a weather forecaster for BWS 2007 to 2009, a portion of the decade of meteorology experience which also included working for the Met Office, the United Kingdom's national weather service.

Canopius said he brings expertise in meteorology and climate science applications to the company.

Mr Saville was more recently head of weather and climate risks research at WTW, where he played a key role in the development of the broker’s global research strategy and risk-modelling tools, since joining in 2013.

Before this, Mr Saville held a number of positions within the Met Office, including specialist forecaster within the flood-forecasting centre and as a business consultant working primarily with the insurance and capital markets sector.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Geoff’s appointment is an important development as we look to enhance our existing research and cat capabilities.

“It is through the expertise and broad experience of people such as Geoff that Canopius will achieve its growth ambitions by delivering essential data to empower underwriting and enhance the solutions we provide to our clients.”

Mr Saville said: “Our industry is faced with ever-increasing exposure to the complex threats associated with natural catastrophes. Only through the application of data, technology and scientific research can we begin to truly understand and navigate the interconnected and multifaceted risk landscape to deliver nuanced solutions.

“With its science-led ethos, Canopius is a leader in this critical field and I am very happy to have joined the catastrophe management team.”