Floodwise, co-founded by Ben Angwin and Oliver Bradburne, is developing solutions to help homeowners and insurers reduce flood damage before it occurs. Flooding costs UK insurers over £1bn annually in claims, with individual properties facing costs up to £60,000. The company's approach involves deploying temporary defence kits, such as door barriers and water pumps, to properties at risk.
The Floodwise platform integrates Environment Agency (EA) risk data with Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRN) to monitor flood alerts. Following a successful pilot in Oxfordshire with Covéa Insurance policyholders, a second contract has been signed, expanding operations to a larger geographic region. They are also exploring the integration of OS National Geographic Database (NGD) data to support larger non-residential properties.
“"Flooding can have a devastating impact on customers, their homes, and their communities; prevention and protection are therefore incredibly important to us. These pilots with Floodwise form part of our ongoing work to explore practical ways of helping customers become more resilient to flood risk. They are providing valuable insight into how preventative measures could support those most at risk."
Meanwhile, Stratum, co-founded by Brogan McCawley and Alexander Brown, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance flood resilience in new developments from the initial planning stages. Their platform combines advanced AI systems with expert knowledge to assist engineers and local authorities in producing and reviewing Flood Risk Assessments more consistently and efficiently.
Stratum's technology, which incorporates OS base mapping and NGD datasets alongside EA flood information, aims to streamline the complex process of flood risk management. The company has collaborated with Northumberland County Council on a government-funded pilot project to test AI's capability in reviewing thousands of annual planning applications for flood risk.
“"Stratum has helped our team review flood risk information more quickly and consistently. It saves our officers time on routine checks and lets them focus on the most complex cases. It has also given the team capability we did not have before, which helps us keep up with demand without losing quality."
Earlier this year, OS identified critical road and rail pinch points across England vulnerable to river and sea flooding, highlighting the potential for climate-related events to isolate communities and disrupt transport networks.
