Pool Re invests £10m in new UK government terrorism information platform

The UK's Minister of State for Security Ben Wallace has unveiled a new initiative in partnership with the terrorism mutual reinsurer Pool Re to help improve business continuity and resilience in the event of a terrorist attack.

Pool Re has invested £10 million in a joint project with the UK National Counter-Terrorism Police HQ and the Home Office’s Joint Security & Resilience Centre to fund a new interactive information sharing platform.

It intends to help firms and local authorities improve risk awareness and risk mitigation against the persistent threat of terrorism by providing them with classified information.

The platform will be developed and operated by counter-terrorism police. It is a part of the strategy to strengthen collaboration and information exchange between government, police and businesses.

Pool Re chairman Geoff Riddell said: “As recognised in the Government’s CONTEST strategy, Pool Re and the insurance industry are uniquely placed to shape resilient behaviour, protect the UK’s economic infrastructure, and enhance national security interests by scaling the UK’s ability to tackle terrorism.

"We take this responsibility very seriously, and as such are delighted to be collaborating with the Home Office and Counter Terrorism Policing to deliver this critical initiative. The Platform will meet a longstanding need from the private sector for more credible, quality and timely information to be used in their protective security and resilience planning.”

Minister of State for Security Ben Wallace MP said: “This project is one of the first of its kind - a collaboration between the police, the insurance sector, and the Government that will help to keep the country safe and secure. If we are to properly respond to the terrorist threat, we need to ensure everyone plays their part. That is why partnerships like this one are so vital and I thank Pool Re for their leadership.”

The national policing lead for protective security, deputy assistant commissioner Lucy D’Orsi, added: “Since the tragic events of 2017, Counter Terrorism Policing has been working alongside government and the private sector to strengthen our defences against terrorism through greater collaboration and information sharing. That is why this ground-breaking new platform is so important, as it will allow businesses to access credible information 24/7, connect users to experts, provide accredited online training and send direct messages in the event of an attack – strengthening our frontline against the unprecedented threat.

"By supporting this initiative, Pool Re will improve the engagement, collaboration and sharing of information between the private sector, policing and the security services - resulting in a better assessment of emerging threats and helping us to work together to keep the UK safer.”

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