
Harry Vardigans, Head of Insurance: Fathom: Will it make the boat go faster? (409)
From InsTech - insurance & innovation with Matthew Grant & Robin Merttens by InsTech
May 31, 2026 · 21 min · Episode 409
About this episode
The episode explores the parallels between ocean rowing and insurance risk management through a conversation with Harry Vardigans.
What do ocean rowing, flood modelling and insurance innovation have in common? More than you might think. In this episode, Matthew Grant is joined by Harry Vardigans, Head of Insurance at Fathom, for a conversation that spans Atlantic Ocean rowing, catastrophe modelling and the evolving nature of risk in insurance. Later this year, Harry will join three teammates in an attempt to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, travelling from the Canary Islands to Antigua in a nine-metre boat. What starts as a discussion about one of the world's toughest endurance challenges quickly becomes a fascinating exploration of how individuals and organisations prepare for uncertainty, manage risk and make decisions in complex environments. Drawing on both his upcoming expedition and his work helping insurers better understand flood risk, Harry reflects on the parallels between navigating an ocean crossing and navigating today's insurance market. From weather forecasting and route optimisation to insurance availability and regulatory change, the conversation highlights how better data and improved modelling can transform previously uninsurable risks into manageable opportunities. In this…
People in this episode
Host: Matthew Grant
Guest: Harry Vardigans
Topics covered
- ocean rowing
- flood modelling
- insurance innovation
- risk management
- decision-making
- data analysis
Keywords
- ocean rowing
- flood risk
- catastrophe modelling
- insurance
- risk management
- data
- decision-making
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Fathom
Places: Canary Islands, Antigua, Atlantic Ocean
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