Episode #022 - Dr Timothy Less - The Intersection Between Geopolitics, Terrorism, and Risk.

Dr Timothy Less is a Senior Advisor for Geopolitics at the Centre for Risk Studies where he is developing a programme of work in geopolitical analysis. He also leads a study group at the University’s Centre for Geopolitics which introduces final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students to the rudiments of political and geopolitical risk analysis. Outside the University, Tim provides analytical and consultancy services for public and private-sector clients, specialising in the politics, economics and legal/regulatory environments in Russia and eastern Europe. Previously, Tim was an Associate Lecturer in East European Politics at the University of Kent, and a member of the British Diplomatic Service during which time he served as head of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s EU Institutions department, head of the British Embassy Office in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the lead analyst on the government’s Countries at Risk of Instability initiative.

Tim holds a MA in Eastern European Studies from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, and a MSt in International Relations and PhD in contemporary geopolitics from the University of Cambridge. He is functional in Serbian, Russian and Albanian.

In this episode, we will explore the intersection between geopolitics and terrorism, as well as how best businesses can prepare themselves for future geopolitical flashpoints. Tim will provide his own assessment on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, how future conflicts will be fought within a New World Order, and its impact on the UK.

Please note, this episode was recorded on 17 June 2025.

For regular insightful terrorism threat and risk information, as well as other Pool Re updates, please sign up to receive our emails at https://www.poolre.co.uk/signup/.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please subscribe on your streaming app of choice, and share so we can help build a better understanding of the terrorism threat to the UK.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.

Episode #021 - Heather Arrowsmith-Tosley - The Competent Person Scheme

Heather Arrowsmith-Tosley is the Head of Professional Capability at the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the national training lead responsible for the training and accreditation of Counter Terrorism Security Advisors (CTSA’s) and Prepare Officers. Heather's portfolio area includes being the lead for the Competent Person Scheme Project and she is the NaCTSO lead for Disruptive Effects (Project Servator and SCaN). Heather is a qualified CTSA, whose specialism has afforded her to work across the public and private sectors at a local, national and international level. Before specialising in Counter Terrorism, Heather developed a firm grounding in Policing having performed roles across Criminal Justice and Intelligence. This included working to prevent cross-border organised crime, child sexual exploitation and drug offences. Heather has a strong academic background and found a career in Policing following completion of her Master’s degree and a research posting.

In this episode, we’ll be asking Heather to provide an update on the Competent Person Scheme developed by NaCTSO, and exploring her thoughts on what competency is, development pathways in the security industry, and also how the UK’s journey of professionalisation of the Security Industry is progressing.

For regular insightful terrorism threat and risk information, as well as other Pool Re updates, please sign up to receive our emails at https://www.poolre.co.uk/signup/.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please subscribe on your streaming app of choice, and share so we can help build a better understanding of the terrorism threat to the UK.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.

Episode #020 – Matt Jukes QPM - Insights from the Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing.

Matt Jukes QPM is the Head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) and a member of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Management Board as Assistant Commissioner (Specialist Operations). He has held this role since July 2021. His responsibilities span countering threats from domestic and international terrorism and the protection of the Royal Family, Ministers and Parliament. Matt oversaw the CTP investigation into the murder of Sir David Amess MP and contributed to security at the funeral of HM The Queen and HM The King’s Coronation. Most recently, this has seen him lead the responses to the recent conflicts in Ukraine and Middle East.

Matt is the national policing lead on national security policing and has led through a four-fold increase in operations emanating from espionage, foreign interference and war crimes in the last three years. His leadership includes membership of the Five Eyes Law Enforcement Group. Matt joined policing in 1995 and first started working in counter terrorism in 2001, going on to advise the UK law enforcement delegation to the G8 and undertaking operational duties as a CT Commander. Security and intelligence have been recurring themes of his career, woven into periods of territorial police command, including as the Chief Constable of South Wales Police.

In this episode, we’ll explore Matt’s current assessment of the UK terrorism threat landscape, the increasing involvement of young offenders in Counter Terrorism Policing’s casework, and how Counter Terrorism Policing has had to evolve in line with an evolving and enormously diverse range of terrorism ideologies, methodologies and threat actors.

For regular insightful terrorism threat and risk information, as well as other Pool Re updates, please sign up to receive our emails at https://www.poolre.co.uk/signup/.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please subscribe on your streaming app of choice, and share so we can help build a better understanding of the terrorism threat to the UK.

Please note: This episode was recorded on 16 April 2025.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.

Episode #019 – Steve McGrath – Managing Risk at Wembley Stadium

Steve is the Head of Security for Wembley National Stadium, responsible for security strategy, policy, crisis management and asset protection. Prior to this he had a distinguished career in counter terrorism policing as a Regional Protect & Prepare lead and with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office. As Head of NaCTSO Information Capability & Engagement, Steve was responsible for ACT e-learning, the ACT app and engagement with Lead Government Departments and UK Businesses. Formerly chair of the CT Business Information Exchange (CTBIE), Steve worked closely with UK businesses to provide input into NaCTSO’s products and guidance. He was the project lead to create ProtectUK and with the Head of NaCTSO developed the Protect & Prepare National Strategic and Tactical Security Co-ordinator roles to lead the Protect & Prepare response following terror attacks in the UK. He is a Fellow of the Security Institute and Co-Chair of their Counter Terrorism Special Interest Group, a member of the OSAC UK Steering Committee and International Security Expo Advisory Group.

In this episode, we explore Steve’s distinguished career in counter terrorism policing, the evolving nature of terrorism threat in the UK, the many facets of protecting an iconic site like Wembley, as well as Steve’s own top tips for businesses seeking to mitigate terrorism threat.

For regular insightful terrorism threat and risk information, as well as other Pool Re updates, please sign up to receive our emails at https://www.poolre.co.uk/signup/.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please subscribe on your streaming app of choice, and share so we can help build a better understanding of the terrorism threat to the UK.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.

Episode #018 – The Current State of Islamist Terrorism

This month, Threat Analysts Oliver Hair and Lucy Hagger sit down to discuss their latest research into the current state of Islamist terrorism in the UK. Lucy and Oliver explore a range of topics including how to define Islamist terrorism, the current capability of organised overseas Islamist terrorist groups, as well as the potential impact of crises throughout the Middle East on the threat posed by Islamist terrorism.

Oliver is also joined by Dr. Antonio Giustozzi, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). As well as providing expert commentary for Pool Re’s latest deep dive report, RUSI have helped Pool Re review their findings and enhance the final analysis.

The full report can be found here: Terrorism Threat Publications - Pool Reinsurance

For regular insightful terrorism threat and risk information, as well as other Pool Re updates, please sign up to receive our emails at https://www.poolre.co.uk/signup/.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please subscribe on your streaming app of choice, and share so we can help build a better understanding of the terrorism threat to the UK.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.

Episode #017 – Mary Harper – Three Decades on the Frontlines of Extremism in Africa

Mary Harper is a journalist, author, and expert on the Horn of Africa. Mary was until recently the BBC’s Africa Editor. She now works with the United Nations and continues to report on Africa. Mary has reported extensively on the Somali Islamist movement, Al Shabaab, and other insurgent groups on the continent. She is the author of the books Getting Somalia Wrong: Faith, War and Hope in a Shattered State and Everything You have Told Me is True: The Many Faces of Al Shabaab.

In this episode, we explore what life is like under Al Shabaab in Somalia, how terrorism and counter-terrorism efforts have evolved throughout Africa, and what this all means for the UK.

For regular insightful terrorism threat and risk information, as well as other Pool Re updates, please sign up to receive our emails at https://www.poolre.co.uk/signup/.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please subscribe on your streaming app of choice, and share so we can help build a better understanding of the terrorism threat to the UK.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.

Episode #016 – Superintendent Amanda King – Insights from the Head of NaCTSO

Please note, this episode was recorded on the 12th of December 2024, prior to Vehicle as a Weapon attacks conducted in Germany and New Orleans, US.

Superintendent Amanda King leads the UK’s National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) – a team of experts developing and sharing protective security advice as well as working directly with individuals, organisations and communities needing practical guidance and support to keep people safe. Drawing on her time in two different Forces, Amanda’s experience in protective security includes leading the London Counter Terrorism Security Advisers and working as a CT Security Coordinator; roles that saw her at the centre of both Operations London Bridge and Golden Orb – the funeral of the late Queen and the Coronation of King Charles. Her early career led her into intelligence before moving into counter terrorism and protective security. She is a passionate advocate for greater inclusivity in policing and the security profession and is proud to be a mentor for the next generation of talent.

In this episode, we explore Amanda’s distinguished 30-year career in the policing and counterterrorism space, her current role as the head of NaCTSO, as well as the incredible work they currently carry out. We also explore Amanda’s insights into how the policing and security industry has changed during her career, and the importance of diversity in these industries.

For regular insightful terrorism threat and risk information, as well as other Pool Re updates, please sign up to receive our emails at https://www.poolre.co.uk/signup/.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please subscribe on your streaming app of choice, and share so we can help build a better understanding of the terrorism threat to the UK.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.

Episode #015 - Sohail Ahmed - A Former Extremist's Story

Sohail Ahmed is a former Islamist who was radicalised as a child. In his late teens he considered engaging in an act of violence in London. He subsequently underwent an intellectual journey which culminated in his self-deradicalisation. Sohail now works in the counter-extremism space and advocates for Islamic reform. He has appeared on multiple media outlets and has had his testimony presented in parliament.

In this episode, we speak to Sohail about his radicalisation journey, from his upbringing in East London to the point at which he considered carrying out a terrorist attack in the very same city. We also explore how Sohail went on to deradicalize, and his own thoughts on the current state of Islamist terrorism and extremism in the UK.

Listeners may find some language and themes discussed in this episode upsetting.

For regular insightful terrorism threat and risk information, as well as other Pool Re updates, please sign up to receive our emails at https://www.poolre.co.uk/signup/.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please subscribe on your streaming app of choice, and share so we can help build a better understanding of the terrorism threat to the UK.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.