Lockton, the world's largest independent insurance brokerage, has co-financed the Pay It Forward Fund launched by the Music Industry Therapist Collective CIC (MITC) today. This is an industry-financed occupational health programme to support 150 touring bands and performers over a three-year pilot period. The £272,000 fund will provide small to mid-scale tours access to preventative support that would otherwise be beyond their budget.
Lockton is one of the founding funders of this initiative, alongside AEG International, d&b audiotechnik, Fly By Nite, Live Nation, The Team and Universal Pixels, as well as Radiohead’s Philip Selway, and Live Free 999. What unites these supporters is an understanding of both the rewards of touring and the pressures it can place on the people who make it possible.
Each package includes tour check-ins with qualified mental health practitioners; an occupational health consultation for tour and production managers; a healthy touring workshop; resources to support performance, communication, and collaboration; and access to MITC’s audiobook, Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual. The first round of applications is now open to eligible touring teams anywhere in the world (opens a new window).
Alongside providing funded access, the campaign’s wider aim is to establish occupational health on tour as part of normal professional practice.
Edel Ryan, Practice Leader, Entertainment, said: "Live music has the extraordinary ability to bring people together from across the world, but behind every show, brilliant and creative individuals are facing unseen challenges. As a founding funder, the team at Lockton are incredibly proud to support MITC's mission to improve access to vital support for those in the live touring industry when they need it most. MITC's efforts are rooted in compassion and understanding, and Lockton's partnership demonstrates our commitment to building a healthier, more sustainable future for the exceptional people who make this industry possible."
Tamsin Embleton, founder of MITC, commented: “The insurance sector understands better than most the importance of looking ahead: recognising the pressures and risk factors people may be exposed to, and identifying where protective measures can make a difference. Lockton’s backing of MITC's Pay It Forward Fund brings that same risk-aware approach to supporting the health of people working on tour. We can't remove the inherent pressures of touring, but through the Fund and its programme of support, we can improve access to specialist support and give touring teams an opportunity to build on their existing strengths, develop practical skills and respond earlier when the demands of touring are beginning to take a toll.”
Lockton's Entertainment team provides a one-stop shop for the live entertainment industry, acting as a trusted concierge in all things risk. Supporting clients across live music, festivals, major sporting events and large-scale productions, the team delivers specialist insurance and risk advisory solutions tailored to the unique needs of the sector. Working with artists, promoters, event organisers, venues, sponsors and production teams, Lockton combines deep industry expertise with a collaborative, client-focused approach to help protect events, manage uncertainty and deliver exceptional live experiences.