The Edinburgh International Festival was founded in 1947, in the aftermath of the Second World War, by of Rudolf Bing, a refugee of the Nazi regime and Henry Harvey Wood, the Head of the British Council in Scotland. The aim was to transcend political boundaries through a global celebration of performing arts and over 75 years later, the Festival continues to go from strength to strength.
The Challenge
The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted every part of the economy – but few sectors were hit as badly as events. The Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) was cancelled in 2020 and re-emerged the following year in three temporary pavilions.
The lockdowns were the biggest challenge the festival had faced since it was founded in 1947, when it was hoped the arts would help to rebuild links across war-torn Europe. Since its inception, the EIF has attracted top-flight international talent in a diverse line-up of opera, ballet and orchestral music. The Festival also spawned The Fringe, which has become famous for its world-class comedy and theatre performances.
But hosting one of the world’s largest and most prestigious arts festivals isn’t without a degree of risk.
The Solution
Enter Blackford, stage left. The broker wrangled non-standard policies for 2021’s pavilions, navigating insurers’ evolving appetite for risk during Covid. Some insurers scratched their heads trying to understand the needs of the festival – which is funded through grants and donations, rather than profits – but Blackford received rave reviews for a smooth performance.
The sad closure of the EIF’s café in The Hub – its head office in the former General Assembly Hall of the Church of Scotland – meant the festival’s requirements also changed, allowing its buildings cover to be split from its commercial combined policy.
That was no mean feat for Blackford, as The Hub sits on the Royal Mile, just yards from Edinburgh Castle. The location meant a number of insurers were already covering fire and terrorism risk for other properties at the heart of the Old Town – so many felt they already had enough risk exposure in that location.
“Stephen Randall went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to our building’s insurance. He helped me wade through boxes of old files to answer our insurer’s questions about the materials used in our extension. His local knowledge is also invaluable.”
What The Client Said
“We’d been with our previous broker – part of a large multinational – for many years, so it was time to bring in a fresh pair of eyes. We value Blackford’s hands-on approach, and the root-and-branch review it conducted of our needs.
“We also switched from our broker receiving commission to us paying a direct fee to Blackford. That means we’ve got a much clearer idea of what we’re paying for.
“Stephen Randall went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to our building’s insurance. He helped me wade through boxes of old files to answer our insurer’s questions about the materials used in our extension. His local knowledge is also invaluable.”
