Howden Broking has reached an agreement to acquire Gravitas Insurance Agency, a Los Angeles-based retail brokerage specializing in contingency insurance for music, sport, and live events.
The M&A deal is subject to customary closing conditions and forms part of Howden’s strategy to expand its US presence while reinforcing its global sport and entertainment capabilities.
Gravitas, founded in 2022 by John Tomlinson, has quickly built a roster of clients that includes leading performing artists, touring acts, event organizers, talent agencies, and record labels across the United States.
Tomlinson previously developed the North America entertainment platform at Lockton. He launched Gravitas with partner Marlene Benoit, who had led Lockton’s North America contingency team with a focus on music-related non-appearance cover.
Jim Hays, vice chair at Howden, said the acquisition highlights the group’s commitment to combining global scale with specialized talent. He noted that Gravitas adds deep sector knowledge to Howden’s growing US retail business.
As Howden recently made clear by establishing a U.S. leadership team for its expansion in this dynamic market, we are committed to creating opportunities for the most talented and leading players in the sector.
Jim Hays, Vice Chair, Howden
“The addition of Gravitas is a great example of how we are growing our business in the U.S. through a mix of talent and strategic acquisitions. By harnessing our outstanding global capabilities with specialist expertise, we deliver service with a difference to clients,” Jim Hays says.
Duncan Fraser, global head of sport and entertainment, pointed out that the US accounts for about 60 percent of worldwide premium in the sector, describing the opportunity as immense and the partnership as a magnet for top industry talent.
The US represents 60% of the total global Sport & Entertainment premium, so the scale of the opportunity we have in front of us is immense.
Duncan Fraser, Global Head of Sport & Entertainment, Howden
“Our combined specialist expertise in sport, media, entertainment and equine, alongside Howden’s global platform and growing US retail business, will mean we are a magnet for top industry talent – essential in delivering outstanding service to clients,” Duncan Fraser added.
For Tomlinson, the deal represents a natural progression. He described the partnership with Howden as long-standing and said that uniting under one banner will multiply the firm’s ability to deliver for clients and attract the best talent in the entertainment insurance space.
