Marsh launches sports, entertainment and media group for UK and Ireland

Broker and risk advisory firm Marsh has launched a sports, entertainment and media (SEM) industry group in the UK and Ireland in order to play a “key role” in supporting businesses within these sectors.

The new division will be led by global events specialist Richard Tolley, who has worked at Marsh since 1995.

With this appointment, Tolley will also join Marsh’s industry leadership team, as well as retain his existing position as deputy leader, global sports and events. He will report to Charles Beresford-Davies, the firm’s head of industries, UK and Ireland.

Tolley will lead a team of 60 client management, technical, placement and risk management specialists from across the business in order to support Marsh’s SEM clients, which vary from SMEs to global corporations.

Tolley said: “The health and wellbeing of staff and the return to the workplace are just some of the issues associated with Covid-19 and one of the many increasingly complex risks that sports, entertainment and media organisations now face.

“I look forward to leading the industry group, providing solutions that enable our SEM clients to adapt and thrive in this rapidly evolving risk landscape.”

Key role

Other new appointments include Edel Ryan, who will become the group’s head of strategic business development.

She previously worked as the head of media and entertainment at JLT Specialty and has experience of working with content producers, media organisations, live entertainment businesses and sporting events.

Steve McGuinness is another new hire for the group, moving from his role as managing director at Bluefin Sport to become Marsh’s head of sport, UK and Ireland.

McGuinness has more than 30 years of broking experience and is one of the founding members of The British Association for Sport and Law.

Charles Beresford-Davies, head of industries, UK and Ireland at Marsh, added: “The impact of Covid-19 on the sports, entertainment and media industries clearly presents great challenges for our clients.

“The formation of Marsh’s SEM industry team will play a key role in expanding the support and breadth of expertise we can offer our clients as we work through this crisis and beyond.”