Howden launches dedicated US sports & entertainment division
Robbie Henderson was named to lead its newly formed practice
Global insurance broker Howden has formally launched a dedicated US sports & entertainment practice, tapping international team leader Robbie Henderson to head the division from New York.
Henderson, who joined the broker in 2019, has spent the last several years expanding the firm’s international sports portfolio and advising on strategy across global markets. In his new position as head of US Sports & Entertainment, he will lead the expansion of Howden’s domestic footprint while establishing direct operational links between its American business and the broader global network.
Mike Parrish, CEO of Howden Americas, emphasized that Henderson’s industry relationships and technical background will provide local clients with access to a depth of international broking experience that few domestic competitors can match.
Navigating intersecting operational risks
The launch comes as complex event risks intensify across live performance, media, and athletic sectors. Brokers in the space are increasingly managing overlapping exposures where single client relationships involve broadcast rights, touring schedules, and massive physical staging.
A single major event often requires multi-layered coverage placements, including broadcast rights protection, non-appearance insurance, event cancellation, prize indemnity, and public liability. By unifying these fragmented specialty lines into a cohesive broking framework, the firm aims to eliminate coverage gaps that frequently occur when lines are placed independently.
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to lead our business in the largest Sport & Entertainment market in the world,” Henderson said. “We already have strong specialist expertise in the U.S. and outstanding Sport & Entertainment capability across Howden, globally. Bringing those strengths together gives us a formidable proposition for our clients.”
Strategic push into the US specialty market
The establishment of a dedicated US division aligns with Howden’s broader push into the domestic specialty retail market. Industry estimates indicate that the United States represents approximately 60% of the world’s sports and entertainment insurance premiums, making it a critical hub for high-capacity contingency placements.
The newly formed US unit will advise a diverse client base across the sector, including touring artists, major promoters, professional sports franchises, talent management agencies, and production companies. The division will be backed by Howden’s global Sports & Entertainment platform, which encompasses roughly 400 specialists operating across 23 countries.
The move also follows recent strategic moves by the firm to bolster its North American presence in the sector, including its acquisition of California-based contingency agency Gravitas Insurance Agency.
