Howden acquires Germany’s Franz Gossler Insurance Group to cement position as leading sport, film and entertainment broker in Germany and Europe

Munich, 1 March 2023: Howden, the international insurance broker, today announces its agreement to acquire Franz Gossler Insurance Group, one of the leading insurance brokers focusing on film and entertainment insurance in Germany and beyond. The transaction has been executed by Howden Germany’s specialty broker Howden Caninenberg, reflecting the company’s strategic objective to invest in local specialist expertise and position itself as the preeminent choice for national and international clients in the entertainment industry – including sport, film, TV and streaming.  

Franz Gossler Insurance Group was founded in 1970 and is a high quality, owner-managed company specialising in the field of entertainment, film, event and advertising insurance. 

The acquisition of Franz Gossler follows that of Assimovie earlier this year, making Howden the largest TV and film production broking house in Italy. This represents another significant step in Howden’s ambition to be a leading sport, film and entertainment broker in Europe.  

Klaus Eisenberger, Managing Director responsible for film at Howden Caninenberg, said: “Franz Gossler and his team have enjoyed an excellent reputation as professionals in the field of film insurance for decades and are therefore the ideal partner for us. Our position as the leading broker for film, television and streaming services in the German-speaking region is thus consolidated. This transaction seamlessly fits into our growth strategy for the entire European market.”

Franz Gossler jun., owner of Franz Gossler Insurance Group, added: “As an owner-managed company in its second generation, we have built a very successful business for clients in the film and entertainment industry in the DACH region. Now it is time to set the course for the future in order to better meet client’s global challenges. Howden, as an international company with specialist expertise in film and entertainment risks, is the best place for us to continue to grow and deliver for our clients as they face these increasingly global demands and to jointly expand the business from now on.”

Duncan Fraser, Sport and Entertainment Global Practice Leader at Howden, said:  “With the acquisition of the Franz Gossler Insurance Group, we further strengthen our position as one of the leading brokers in the German-speaking region as well as internationally in the sport, film & entertainment sector. Clients from the film and streaming sector have an increasing need for international solutions and a global network, which we offer through Howden Global Sport & Entertainment Practice. With Franz Gossler, we share an entrepreneurial spirit and client-focused approach. We warmly welcome Franz Gossler and his team to Howden.”