In this episode of Enterprise Sessions from the University of Bristol, Professor Michele Barbour speaks with Professor Paul Bates, world‑leading expert in flood inundation modelling and co‑founder of Fathom, one of the University’s most successful research‑driven companies.

Paul reflects on a remarkable career that began with a Bristol PhD in the late 1980s and evolved into pioneering work that transformed global flood modelling. He describes the technological shift that enabled a new generation of high‑resolution terrain data, the academic debates that reshaped the field, and the multidisciplinary collaborations that built the foundation for Fathom’s modelling techniques.

The conversation traces Fathom’s origins from two ambitious PhD students with an idea, through early years of bootstrapping, to international clients including insurers, banks, multinationals, and the World Bank. Paul also discusses the challenges of spinning out before universities had mature commercialisation systems, the importance of staying ahead of competitors through transparency and innovation, and the recent acquisition of Fathom by Swiss Re.

Finally, Paul reflects on what research entrepreneurship means within academia, how Fathom has strengthened Bristol’s scientific capabilities, and what lies ahead for both him and the next generation of global flood models.

🔍 In the episode:

· The origins of flood inundation modelling at Bristol

· How new airborne laser mapping transformed what was scientifically possible

· Overturning long‑held assumptions in the field

· The multidisciplinary team behind high‑resolution flood models

· Serendipity, road trips — and how two PhD students sparked a company

· Fathom’s unconventional path: bootstrapping, grants and early customers

· Data‑as‑a‑service before it was mainstream

· Building global flood maps used by insurers, governments and financial institutions

· Staying ahead of competitors by publishing methods openly

· Growing from four founders to a 50‑person global team

· Acquisition by Swiss Re and what it means for the future

· Entrepreneurship in academia: culture, opportunity and barriers

· The virtuous cycle between research and commercial innovation

· What’s next: NASA’s SWOT satellite and the next era of global flood modelling

🌐 About the Enterprise Sessions

The Enterprise Sessions bring together a diverse mix of company founders and researchers who talk openly about their personal experiences of forming spinouts and start-ups, raising capital, academic-industry partnerships and the joys of translating research discoveries into real-world impact. The series aims to inform, inspire and challenge myths and stereotypes about research commercialisation and how businesses and universities can work together to tackle society’s biggest challenges.

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Paul Bates – LinkedIn

Michele Barbour – LinkedIn

Modelling the World’s Floods & Building Fathom | The Enterprise Sessions with Professor Paul Bates

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Modelling the World’s Floods & Building Fathom | The Enterprise Sessions with Professor Paul Bates