Willis Partners With University of Bologna to Study Floods

The Willis Research Network (WRN), part of Willis Group, has announced the formation of a partnership with the University of Bologna “to include the renowned Italian institution’s flood research as part of more a robust risk modeling offering for clients.

“The University’s WRN activities are led by Professor Ezio Todini, who has held the Chair in Hydrology at Bologna since 1980. Professor Todini is one of the world’s leading flood and rainfall run-off researchers, with particular focus on extreme events. His research and models are used worldwide including Europe, Africa and
China.”

He is supported by Dr Mario Martina, who has been appointed as Willis Research Fellow at the Department of Earth and Geo-Environmental Science and the University of Bologna. “Dr Martina has worked in the field of flood modeling for over ten years,” Willis noted. “The University of Bologna joins the WRN group of complementary flood specialists at the universities of Princeton, Bristol, Durham, London, National University Singapore and SEA Australia.”

Professor Todini commented: “The co-optation of the University of Bologna within the WRN is an outstanding recognition of the role and qualification of the flood research carried out over the last decade by the hydrological group of the Department of Earth and Geo-Environmental Sciences. In terms of research programs the WRN will allow us to combine the essential requirements and understanding of the reinsurance industry with the scientific approach and dedicated research of academia. The University of Bologna team looks forward to a fruitful, interesting and innovative research cooperation.”

Rowan Douglas, Chairman of the WRN, explained that his organization had been working with Professor Todini and Dr Martina for some time, and welcomed the partnership, as providing an opportunity to “take our relationship with them, and the
University, to an even deeper level.

” We are determined to extend Willis’ lead across insurance related flood risk modeling and this is another important step,” he added.”

Source: Willis Group Holdings – www.willis.com