UK risk forecaster lands in Brisbane

Brisbane has been selected as the location for the Australian office of UK engineering firm Jeremy Benn Pacific (JBP).

The company was attracted to Queensland because of its business-friendly environment.

“JBP is the kind of innovative company the Palaszczuk government is trying to attract to Queensland through our Advance Queensland agenda,” said Treasurer and Minister for Trade Curtis Pitt.

“The company combines technology, science, engineering and forecasting to create new tools for managing weather risks to infrastructure and operations.”

JBP has employed four local staff, with more expected to join in coming months.

“JBP also has a real commitment to innovation, which can only be helpful as Queensland and the Asia–Pacific grapples with changing weather patterns and more extreme weather events,” said Pitt.

Speaking at the company’s official launch at the Queensland University of Technology, JBP Director Dan Rodger said that Queensland offered real opportunities for an innovative company looking to expand into the Asia–Pacific region.

“Opening a new office is not easy, particularly one that hopes to keep innovation at the heart of its strategy,” he said. 

“However, we believe Brisbane has the mix of established businesses, transport links, research and development opportunities and growth potential that we’ve been searching for.

“We’ve also appreciated the guidance of Trade and Investment Queensland, which provided advice and introductions that helped us to identify Brisbane’s business advantages.”

The company works with ports, transport networks, mining organisations and all levels of government to increase resilience to cyclones, waves, erosion, stormwater and flood risks.

It has developed Australia-wide flood risk maps that are used to evaluate exposure to natural catastrophes and to help business and government make smart decisions about infrastructure upgrades, insurance, and disaster preparedness and recovery.

“For example, we’re currently using our hazard maps to prioritise road upgrades and support asset maintenance,” said Rodger.

“In the UK, we’re already working with railways to link weather forecasts to real-time risk maps, which are used to alert maintenance staff to undertake pre-emptive works in advance of a flood event.

“Likewise, our coastal forecasting systems are being used to manage marine construction and shipping operations and to guide upcoming works, berths and schedules to have the greatest chance of success.

“We’ve developed these systems internationally and we hope to repeat this process in the Asia–Pacific.”

Image credit: ©FreeImages.com/Ante Vekic

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