Forum chairman Paul Duddle ready to join national debate on subsidence and insurance

Subsidence Forum Chairman Paul Duddle will be a key contributor to the I Love Claims specialist subsidence conference.

He is taking part in an expert debate at the event on Thursday 30^th April 2026 at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon, Warwickshire, for which forum members can claim a 20% discount on the attendance fee.

As an Industry Body Partner of I Love Claims, the Subsidence Forum is proud to support this key event as it returns for its 4th year. With more than 90 insurers already confirmed, it’s shaping up to be the biggest conference yet.

Great event for forum members

Last year nearly 300 delegates attended, and 2026 is expected to be even bigger, bringing together insurers, loss adjusters, engineers, surveyors, repairers and tech innovators from across the sector.

Paul says: “The forum has, in my view, an increasingly important role in guiding a thorough and timely response to subsidence. For this reason, I recommend that members consider attending the conference.

“The event will allow us to consider both tactical responses and strategic trends, in terms of gathering and using data, technical innovation, sustainability and practical decision-making.

“We need a multi-agency approach to subsidence. We need to draw together insights from across the UK to develop effective solutions that are applied fairly for all involved. The Subsidence Forum is well placed to facilitate this process.

Key topics aired and discussed

The technical complexities thrown up by subsidence feed into difficulties in the way insurance claims are resolved. Climate change also makes it more urgent than ever to find new ways to respond to subsidence

These issues will be key topics at the specialist conference organised by ILC, the key body for promoting networking and debate related to the big issues affecting the UK’s insurance industry.

With a focus on catching up from the 2025 surge, the event will highlight how satellite insights and analytics can speed up decision-making and settlement. Other key topics include:

• Using data to streamline straightforward claims.
• Delegating authority at the right stage.
• The future of subsidence cover in high-risk areas.
• Innovations that reduce delays, support sustainability, and improve environmental outcomes.

Subsidence surges become business as usual

Paul, who is operations director at insurance claims service provider Catalyst Services UK, will also champion wider forum membership, and is urging insurance providers and loss adjusters, in particular, to join the body and share their insights and expertise.

He contributed to a discussion about subsidence at the ILC Property Claims Conference held at the Telford International Centre, in Shropshire, in November 2025.

Joining an expert panel debating the persistent challenges of subsidence, he pointed out our understanding of underlying issues has grown, a process that needs to continue given the increasing pervasiveness of the problem.

Where subsidence surges once happened every decade, they are now taking place much more frequently, to the point they are ‘business as usual’, the conference audience was told.

Training and communication – vital solutions

Systems thinking and effective communication are essential, Paul explained. Being aware of new tools to better understand subsidence and choosing the right solutions will also be important. Effective training for both subsidence technicians and claims handlers is vital to allow this to happen.

In terms of communication, Paul said: “Explaining the process properly from the start sets expectations. If a soil sample needs lab testing, we should explain why that takes time. That reduces frustration.”

Paul also said subsidence professionals and insurance claims specialists need to be aware of how inadequately explained technical issues, such as potential liability relating to third-party trees, can damage neighbour relationships and cause unnecessary stress.

Book your place at the conference

Subsidence Forum members can claim a 20% discount on the conference ticket price by using code SF26 when booking tickets.

Find out more and book your place: https://iloveclaims.com/product/specialist-subsidence-conference-2026/