Head of Data Science with over 13 years of experience in advanced analytics, machine learning, and data-driven decision-making within the financial and insurance sectors. Expertise spans AI strategy, risk modelling, and data governance, with a proven track record of building high-performing teams and driving ROI from AI initiatives. Passionate about creating data assets and implementing strategies that optimise risk selection and underwriting processes.
Experience:
- Head of Data Science, Ki Insurance, 2024 - present
- Data Science Manager, Ki Insurance, 2022 - 2024
- Lead Data Scientist, Beazley, 2017 - 2022
- PhD, Teaching & Research Associate, Loughborough University, 2014-2017
- Geospatial Data Analyst - Consultant, Vaisala, 2012 - 2016
Education:
- Loughborough University 2014 - 2017
PhD. Geography
Department of Geography and the Department of Civil Engineering.
In association with British Geological Survey.
Funded by NERC - University of Iceland 2011
BSc. Geophysics (non-award sandwich year) - Coventry University 2008 - 2012
1st Class BSc. Geography & Natural Hazards
Department of Geography
Key Skills & Expertise:
- AI and Machine Learning: Risk modelling, predictive systems, and portfolio optimisation
- Data Strategy & Governance: Data asset development, AI governance, and building robust data systems
- Team Leadership: Building and leading high-performing data science teams
- Advanced Analytics: Statistical modelling, natural language processing, and early warning systems
- Risk Management: Experience applying machine learning to optimise underwriting processes
- Strategic ROI: Delivering measurable ROI on AI and data science initiatives, improving loss ratios and operational efficiency
Tools & Technologies:
- Python: scikit-learn, numpy, pandas, PyTorch, TensorFlow
- SQL, Elasticsearch (ELK), Keras, Spark, Big Data Technologies
Publications:
- Comparing threshold definition techniques for rainfall‐induced landslides: A national assessment using radar rainfall
2018. B Postance, J Hillier, T Dijkstra, N Dixon
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 43 (2) - Extending natural hazard impacts: an assessment of landslide disruptions on a national road transportation network
2017. B Postance, J Hillier, T Dijkstra, N Dixon
Environmental Research Letters 12 (1) - Indirect impact of landslide hazards on transportation infrastructure
2017. B Postance
Doctoral Thesis, Loughborough University - Characterising regional landslide initiation thresholds in Scotland, UK using NIMROD c-band precipitation radar and the BGS National Landslide Database
2016. Postance, Benjamin; Hillier, John; Dijkstra, Tom; Dixon, Neil
EGU General Assembly 2016, Vienna Austria - Open source big data technologies in earth systems research: prototype hazard early warning system in python and postgres
2016. Postance, Benjamin
Early Career Researchers Award, RDA, Tokyo, Japan - Quantification of Road Network Vulnerability and Traffic Impacts to Regional Landslide Hazards
2015. Postance, Benjamin; Hillier, John; Dijkstra, Tom; Dixon, Neil
EGU General Assembly 2015, Vienna Austria