Tokio Marine HCC (TMHCC) has appointed Sam Austen as senior film and TV production underwriter under its specialty group, with a focus on strengthening expertise in the contingency and professional risk - media, film & TV divisions in the UK and across Tokio Marine's global network.
Austen’s appointment is part of an ongoing expansion of TMHCC's film & TV portfolio, complementing recent staffing additions in London, Paris, Düsseldorf, and Barcelona. These hires aim to enhance entertainment underwriting capabilities through TMHCC’s Lloyd's syndicate, HCC International Insurance Company PLC, and Tokio Marine Europe.
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Austen will be based in London and will report to Neil Paddon, head of contingency underwriting at TMHCC's international division.
Before joining TMHCC, Austen spent 14 years at Hiscox, where he rose to the role of senior entertainment development underwriter. In that position, he specialised in underwriting TV and film production packages, advertising contingency (including advertisers indemnity insurance, CPI, DDI, and Ad-Wraps), and errors & omissions coverage.
“We are delighted Sam has decided to join our growing team and the film & TV production coverages are very complimentary to our existing contingency business. We see lots of opportunities to grow this area of our business through our network of UK and international brokers who will also benefit from the collaboration this creates with our professional risk media, film & TV division,” said Paddon.
"We are delighted to welcome Sam to the team. His expertise and experience in the entertainment sector will be an invaluable asset for TMHCC, our brokers and our clients,” said Ros Breese, the media, film & TV underwriting director - professional risk.
TMHCC offers media production insurance specifically designed to address the requirements of the industry. According to Breese, TMHCC continually innovates in product offerings.
"This year, we streamlined our offering with the creation of the global media division, which has allowed us to establish ourselves as market leaders for this segment," she said.
How do you see the recent expansion of Tokio Marine HCC's Film & TV underwriting capabilities impacting the market? Share your thoughts in the comments.
