Episode #011 – Joe Whittaker – The incel subculture: An emerging threat?

Joe Whittaker is a senior lecturer in Criminology, Sociology, and Social Policy at Swansea University and is affiliated with the Cyber Threats Research Centre in Swansea. Joe’s doctoral research was a behavioural study of Islamic State actors in America 2012-2018, conducted jointly with Swansea University and Leiden University. Joe also researches the incel subculture, online counter-narratives, and how online recommendation systems interact with extremist content.

In this episode, we explore Joe’s recent research into the incel subculture for the Commission for Countering Extremism. Short for involuntary celibate, incels can broadly be defined as a group of people who are unable to find sexual partners, despite wanting them, and a small subsection of which believe violence to be justified.

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 #010 – Don Randall MBE – Lessons learnt from a lifetime in counter terrorism.

Don Randall served with the City of London Police from 1969-1995, with specific emphasis on fraud and counter terrorism. Following 13 years at JPMorgan Chase as Managing Director, he joined the Bank of England in 2008 and was appointed the Bank’s first Chief Information Security Officer in 2013.

In 2007, Don was awarded an MBE for services to law enforcement for the harmonisation of the public/private sectors. Don plays a key role within ‘Sister Banks’, City of London Crime Prevention Association, ‘Project Griffin’, the City of London Crime Disorder Reduction Panel, London First Security Advisory Board, London Resilience Board, the London Resilience Business Sector Panel and is a Co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Cross Sector Safety & Security Communications initiative.

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 #009 – Tom Clementi - How insurance plays a role in managing terrorism threat

Tom Clementi is the Chief Executive Officer of Pool Re. Tom joined Pool Re in April of 2022, following a career spanning law, strategy, business, and insurance. Since joining Pool Re, Tom has overseen the company’s transition to an Arm’s Length Body of the UK Government, continued to ensure that UK terrorism insurance remains fit-for-purpose in the face of an evolving terrorism threat, and overseen the growth and development of Pool Re's advisory and consulting division, Pool Re Solutions.

In this episode we talk about Tom’s career prior to Pool Re, his own experiences of terrorism, a brief history of Pool Re, and how the organisation has evolved alongside the UK terrorism threat. Tom shares his own perspective on how insurance can play a crucial role in building resilience for both business and the UK economy, his own understanding of terrorism threat, and how the threat could change in the next five to ten years.

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 #008 – Barnaby Jameson KC - Islamist and Right-Wing Terrorism through the eyes of a prosecutor

Barnaby Jameson KC is a barrister with globally recognised expertise in Terrorism. He has been involved in some of the most notorious terrorist cases of the century including plots to overthrow governments, plots to assassinate politicians, and terrorist bombings in the UK and overseas. These cases range from 21/7 (a conspiracy to bomb the London Underground) and other religiously-motivated terrorist matters to more recent cases involving neo-Nazi terror groups concerned in political assassination. He has unique experience of both Islamist terrorism and neo-Nazi terrorism ('White Jihad').

In this episode we talk about the differences and similarities between Islamist and Extreme Right-Wing terrorists, the grey areas surrounding varying terrorism ideologies, and state threats and terrorism.

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.

Note: This episode was recorded on 16 January 2024.

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 #007 – Lizzie Dearden - Exploring the Role of the Media in Countering Terrorism

Lizzie Dearden is the author of Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed, which covers foiled attacks in the UK since 2017 and shifts in current threats. She has been covering terrorism as a journalist since Islamic State (IS) declared its caliphate in Syria and Iraq in 2014. She initially reported on IS-inspired attacks around the world and the group’s propaganda and strategy, before her work widened to cover other kinds of terrorism. Lizzie has focused on terror attacks and prosecutions, security threats and extremism of all kinds in the UK in-depth since 2017 and was previously The Independent’s home affairs editor.

In this episode we talk about Lizzie’s experience as a journalist reporting on terrorism, the role of the media in countering terrorism in the UK, the risks surrounding being a journalist in this field, Lizzie's book Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed, some of the difficulties surrounding mixed or salad bar ideologies, and what terrorism in the UK looks like going forward.

You can purchase Lizzie’s book Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed, from the publishers here: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/plotters/ or from any other bookstore.

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.

Note: This episode was recorded on 22nd November 2023 prior to the festive period.

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 #006 - Travis Frain - How the Westminster Bridge Attack Changed My Life


Travis Frain sustained injuries in the Westminster Bridge terror attack on 22nd March 2017. Travis has spent the years following the attack campaigning for the rights of victims of terrorism to improved support from the state, and has committed to doing what he can to play a small part in preventing future attacks. He co-founded the pressure group Survivors Against Terror in 2018, was awarded a Young Leaders in National Security Fellowship by the Counter Extremism Group, and is currently studying for a PhD at the University of Central Lancashire in the history of Islamist ideology and efforts to prevent the spread of extremism.

He currently advises Counter Terrorism Policing HQ, the National Emergencies Trust, and several other charities and NGOs, and served as the National Chair of the UK Counter Terrorism Youth Advisory Group from Mar. 2022 - Sep. 2023. In January 2023 he was given the British Citizen Award (BCA) by Parliament in recognition of his work, and he has spoken internationally on the issue of counterterrorism at the United Nations, Council of Europe, European Commission, and many more institutions. He currently serves as a Lecturer at the University of Salford.

In this episode we talk through Travis's personal experience of the Westminster Bridge attack in 2017, what actually happened, Travis's story since the attack in terms of campaigning and supporting police and government, and his perception of terrorism threat in the UK as a survivor.

You can read more about Survivors Against Terror and their mission on their website: https://survivorsagainstterror.org.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.

Episode #005 – Dr. Martin Gallagher – Terrorism and Organised Crime in "the Age of the Individual"

Dr. Martin Gallagher is a former Superintendent with Police Scotland. His policing career spanned three decades, encompassing periods both in uniform roles and many years as a detective, where he focussed on intelligence activities and the investigation of serious crime. He was formerly Area Commander of Paisley, Scotland’s largest town, and during his policing career received 3 commendations for personal bravery. Dr. Gallagher holds a PhD in Criminology, Masters Degrees in Terrorism Studies and Criminal Justice Studies, and a Degree in Philosophy. He has over 50 publications, and writes on a variety of topics including terrorism, organised crime, leadership and police technology. He has also been a guest speaker at numerous conferences, including on behalf of UNODC and International Centre for Counter Terrorism (ICCT) - The Hague.

In this episode we talk through some of the following themes: the links between serious organised crime and terrorism globally and in the UK, terrorism funding, crime and the IRA, is terrorism terrorism?, the age of the individual; Ukraine and the availability of weapons in the UK, drugs and terrorism, and the sixth wave of terrorism.

You can access all of Dr. Gallagher's publications on ResearchGate at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Martin-Gallagher.


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.

Note: This episode was recorded on 5th October 2023, prior to the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on 7th October 2023.

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 #004 – Dr. Jens Binder – Should online radicalisation be our biggest concern?

Dr. Jens Binder is Associate Professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University. His research focuses on cybersecurity and safety, social media engagement and user wellbeing as well as online communication. He draws on perspectives from cyberpsychology, cognitive psychology and human-computer interaction and uses predominantly quantitative methods. His work has been published in high profile journals including American Psychologist, Computers in Human Behaviour, New Media & Society and Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. He regularly supervises projects at PhD level and leads on a specialist Postgraduate degree in Cyberpsychology.

In this episode we talk through some of the following themes: Dr. Binder’s recent work on a publication for HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) looking at radicalisation pathways of convicted terrorists in England and Wales, The differences in terrorist activity conducted by those radicalised online, offline or a hybrid of both, How dangerous online radicalisation really is, and the future of radicalisation and terrorism in the UK.

You can access the HMPPS report at: The Internet and radicalisation pathways: technological advances, relevance of mental health and role of attackers (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Pool Re Solutions have also produced a deep dive report exploring the HMPPS research and groups or individuals in the UK that may act as facilitators of in-person radicalisation which can be found on our website: Exploring the Importance of In-Person Radicalisation to Understand the UK Terrorism Threat - 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.