Brokers are to gain a new primary liaison for
AXA ART's national operations, as of the start of April, in the person of freshly-appointed Country Manager, Iris Handke.
In this new role, Ms. Handke will be responsible for all aspects of AXA ART's activities across Canada, including business development, risk assessment and fine art underwriting.
Passion drives the trained art historian who brings 10 years of experience in fine art and insurance underwriting to the position and until this appointment worked as Chief Underwriter for AXA ART's museum and exhibition business within the Central European countries.
Any conversation with the Arts Masters graduate comes back to one key word – passion. “my passion has always been with art,” she told
Insurance Business Canada. “I’ve been passionate about art since I was 11.”
“Fine Art is very specialized; you have to bring your passion for what you’re doing and for what you’re insuring. That experience and that passion is what I bring to my new position.”
She began her professional career as an underwriter at AXA ART's Munich office in 2006, where she advised insurance brokers and clients on specialist insurance coverage for private clients, exhibitions and art dealers.
And as for the Canadian market, where AXA ART' has been active since 2007, Handke says it’s “very sophisticated. Established Canadian collectors show strong interest in international artists but are uniquely passionate about Canadian artists. The Canadian art scene is wonderful, that is a challenge and a huge opportunity to get to know what is happening in Canada, art-wise”
“My interest, my passion, my training as an art expert and an underwriter, I believe will serve me well in building relationships with collectors and clients.”
