Mark Saunders is the Lead Scientist and Project Manager for Tropical Storm Risk. He is also Professor of Climate Prediction in the Department of Space and Climate Physics at University College London (UCL) and Head of Meteorological Hazards and Seasonal Forecasting at the Benfield Hazard Research Center at UCL.
Mark leads a research group specialising in the long-range prediction and monitoring of climate extremes. These include Atlantic, US and Caribbean hurricanes, Northwest Pacific typhoons, Australian-region cyclones, El Niņo Southern Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Arctic Oscillation, North Atlantic and European winter storminess, drought, and UK and European temperatures.
His team uses cutting-edge science and technology to carefully develop innovative forecast products to benefit risk awareness and decision making in business, government and society. In 2004 Tropical Storm Risk won the prestigious British Insurance Award for London Market Innovation of the Year (presented at the Royal Albert Hall). This is the first occasion that an academic led venture has won such an award.
Mark undertakes commissioned research and consultancies for the reinsurance and risk management industries, and has sound links to humanitarian aid agencies. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and workshops.
Professor Saunders holds a BSc (First) in Geophysical Sciences from Southampton University, a PhD in Space Physics from Imperial College, London, and has published nearly 300 scientific research papers and articles.