About Us

James Banasik MSc

Founder & Meteorologist

james@metswift.com

James Banasik (Applied Meteorology and Climate, MSc) is accredited by the prestigious University of Reading – ranked 2^nd in the world for research in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences.

He co-founded MetSwift in response to the supposition that ‘you cannot predict the weather that far ahead’, drawing on the research and learning of his fellow graduates, who are now a part of MetSwift.

Whilst in a previous role, James & his peers identified a notable gap in current commercial weather and natcat forecasting.

With Shaun Pammenter MSc – his co-founder – and supported by the expertise of James Peacock MSc (Head Meteorologist) and Joseph France MMet (Head of Data Science) he began developing MetSwift’s work in 2015: Utilising academic expertise alongside big data, artificial intelligence and data science to evolve the ways in which weather data is treated; predicting up to five years ahead.

‘We are aiming to revolutionise the way in which meteorological intelligence is delivered to industry – making it smarter, swifter and placing our clients in control of extremely high quality, instant insights. This improves their processes and is enabled by the range of analytic models within our platform, which range from historical statistical analysis to advanced, ever-learning predictive AI.’

Shaun Pammenter MSc

Co-Founder & Meterologist

shaun@metswift.com

‘As a professional sailor, I live weather daily. During racing seasons, I constantly review weather events and patterns that I am aware will be precipitous to gain even incremental advantages. My desire to discover more in this area led me to study Meteorology and Climate at the University of Reading.

That time at Reading, a global leader in Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences, was the start of what is now MetSwift. We saw an opportunity to transform, not just the ways in which long-term forecasting is carried out, but the potential future reach of the prediction.

Following years of developing machine-learning models, global coverage of WMO approved weather stations, and applied climate science we are creating analytic forecasting capabilities never seen before: Bringing us ever closer to achieving what we set out to do.

I am passionate about our environment. Finding solutions to critical climate problems requires talented people committed to pushing frontiers: Individuals with the knowledge, skill and curiosity to apply principles of meteorology, maths and data science in new ways. This is true of finding solutions for industry also, and is why we’ve bought innovative meteorology, drawing on our AI, to industry.’

James Peacock

Head Meteorologist

peacock@metswift.com

Resident writer of bespoke weather-based insights & tweets.

Forecaster, data manipulator and vividly enthusiastic weather geek. Passionately driven to revolutionise the way in which weather and climate information is delivered. This is what it takes to help build a company from the ground-up!

From the mannerisms of tropical cycles to the behaviour of atmospheric circulations above the Arctic, his wide breadth of meteorological insight has been employed for the development of MetSwift’s world-leading, global coverage AI weather prediction model.

Additionally, James specialises in aligning his meteorological expertise with content talents such as processing data acquisition into visually effective formats; and researching articles covering multiple categories, including long-range event weather prospects, weather & climate insights, and exploring weather lore.

Away from work, he is very fond of getting out among all manner of weather and nature, on long walks and cycle rides. Somewhat adept with a guitar, when the mood hits.

James studied BSc (Hons) Physical Geography at the University of Portsmouth, followed by MSc Applied Meteorology at the University of Reading. During these years, he applied an increasing library of weather & climate knowledge into numerous personal projects. It was through one of these, contributing to a popular weather forum, that our founder, James Banasik, first discovered his capabilities.

Joseph France MMet

Head of Data Science

joseph@metswift.com

Joseph France (Applied Meteorology and Climate, MMet) is MetSwift’s foremost developer, managing all data acquisition and cleansing with comprehensive precision. He also oversees the development and testing of our range of statistical and predictive analytic models: Developing logic that, ensures users are accessing, via these models, the best and most relevant data for their requests.

Joseph has an integrated masters with the University of Reading, a world leader in Meteorology and Atmospheric studies, where he specialised in computational and numerical weather prediction. This included the self-led creation of physics-based atmospheric models.

During time spent at the University of Oklahoma, he developed an understanding of commercial forecasting, exploring how weather and commerce are interrelated. He has also developed models to predict wind power generation.

‘What we’re doing is interesting because we take complex ideas and information (about weather and natcat events and teleconnections) and present insight into these in a way that’s intuitive without losing any of that information. It’s a great challenge.

Working on this translation of complexity to simplicity on the scale our data and models cover, enabling accessible understanding, is very fulfilling.

I hope this also nudges people to look at the weather as an opportunity to be proactive in advance, rather than reactive. That people can use our software to – not only improve their current business – but also develop a greater understanding of how weather impacts their commercial processes, is a great thought.’

Dave Parratt

Chief Technical Officer

dave@metswift.com

‘As Chief Technology and Compliance Officer I ensure first-rate governance and due diligence to ensure the stability and security of our Industrial-strength product our increasing client demand requires. In conjunction with this objective, we are working to maintain our agility and continually increase product development velocity to meet the expectations of our broadening market offerings.

I have many years’ experience managing large and complex projects, programmes & portfolios for financial service clients, ostensibly, Tier 1 banks. From large scale data migration projects to infrastructure renewal and business transformational programmes; I have had the opportunity to understand the enabling capabilities of technology when managed well in business.

MetSwift is a very interesting company. Our recent award for Best Use of AI is testament to the innovation and thought leadership of our outstanding meteorological experts and representation via our creative team. It is a privilege to be able to be part of this exciting and dynamic company.’

Melanie Deakin

Head of Sales

mel@ metswift.com

I may not be a meteorologist, but I am passionate about people and passionate about business development. Having worked in the sales industry for 27 years now and still I love new challenges, meeting new people and developing relationships. My advertising Career in the Newspaper Media Industry for 10 years set me up with a brilliant and solid foundation for sales knowledge and training. At 31 I put my career on hold and travelled the world for a year, experiencing all difference types of weather, my favourite being sunshine, especially on the beach. The typhoons weren’t as much fun…

Fast forward to November 2019, I joined MetSwift supporting the sales & marketing team and have loved sharing the passion and energy within. The product itself still blows me away with the intelligent data, I only wish I could deliver results at such speed. It’s always a pleasure building new relationships with companies and partners, but for me it’s seeing the reaction to the software and how it evolves continuously, as all good technology should. For me it’s about exceeding expectations but also loving what you do.

Phil Crookall

Commercial Officer

I’ve joined MetSwift to add some commercial and strategic thought to the team. I’ve spent 30 years in the oil and gas industry working in places as diverse as India, Iran, Russia, Australia, Indonesia and more recently Nigeria, Senegal and Gabon.

I have worked on rigs onshore and offshore and spent many hours watching the weather as it has a massive influence on when we could work and when we could not.

My academic background is BSc is in Geography / Geology Joint honours so some meteorology in there, but my Masters was Sedimentology (all about rocks).