Pool Re Podcast Episode 5: 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.
Listen to the Podcast HERE
Note: This episode was recorded on 5th October 2023, prior to the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on 7th October 2023
About Pool Re
Pool Re’s purpose is to enable the UK insurance market to offer terrorism cover to any commercial property that requires it. Central to this is the integration of Pool Re’s cover with the underlying property policy which ensures that there is no gap in the cover provided.
Pool Re was designed to insulate the taxpayer from potential financial losses arising from acts of terrorism. It has achieved this effectively, to date paying £635m in respect of 13 claims arising from certified terrorism events in the UK since our establishment. It has never called on the Government’s guarantee.
By providing foundational stability at a reinsurance level, Pool Re has created an environment for the commercial market to re-establish itself, following the market failure in 1992. This stability creates and sustains access, liquidity and confidence to generate the conditions for the private market to gradually write a growing portion of terrorism risk.
Helping UK businesses build resilience against terrorism risk is a priority for Pool Re who have developed SOLUTIONS an in-house centre of excellence created to support Members and policyholders better understand risk awareness, modelling, and management. They have also invested in a range of initiatives with Government security and intelligence agencies to provide tools such as an information sharing platform.