Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has appointed Michael Furtschegger as global head of entertainment, effective immediately. In his new role, Furtschegger will report directly to Renate Strasser, AGCS SE board member and chief underwriting officer specialty. Based in Munich, Furtschegger has led the global entertainment team since the end of 2020 on an interim basis, after his predecessor Lauren Bailey decided to step down from her role and leave Allianz. The AGCS entertainment line of business provides specialised insurance solutions for film productions as well as live events in sports, music or culture. Prior to this, Furtschegger was the head of entertainment international since 2016, steering the international expansion of this business segment. He joined AGCS in 2009 as a global customer relationship manager before several other roles including; executive assistant Axel Theis, founding and long-term CEO of AGCS, quality and projects manager, head of global strategy and development. Commenting on Furtschegger’s promotion, Strasser says: “Michael Furtschegger and the team in underwriting and claims have worked intensively to support our customers to mitigate losses and quickly settle any claims if coverage was confirmed. Together with the global entertainment industry, we hope that the post-pandemic new normal will soon realise so that this sector can build on earlier growth and vibrancy.” “I look forward to working with Furtschegger and have every confidence that he will steer the team to a successful future and develop a sustainable entertainment book of business for AGCS,” Strasser concludes. In January, AGCS appointed Hannah Tindal, Martin Stewart, James McGuire and Michela Moro to its financial lines business in the company’s regional unit London and Nordics team, covering the UK, Ireland, Nordic countries and the Middle East.
