US insurtech Player’s Health appoints industry heavyweight to boost insurance division

While currently focused on the US and Canadian markets, Player’s Health will develop into a global insurance and risk management provider for sports

Player’s Health, a data-driven insurance and risk management provider that serves the sport and fitness markets, has appointed Naveen Anand as its new president of insurance.

Anand has more than 30 years of experience in the North American property and casualty insurance market, with leadership roles at Chubb, CNA, Torus, and Hallmark Financial Services. He will be in charge of insurance strategy and growth for Player’s Health, an insurtech startup. He will also join its board of directors. 

Player’s Health uses cutting-edge technology, unique data insights, and risk management, along with a comprehensive suite of insurance products, to offer protection to amateur athletes, coaches, staff, and volunteers and the organisations that run sports bodies.

While currently focused on the US and Canadian markets, Player’s Health will develop into a global insurance and risk management provider for sports.

“The addition of Naveen to our team is invaluable,” said Tyrre Burks, founder and chief executive officer at Player’s Health. “Naveen is a well-known insurance leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and relationships to the team. His leadership will help us to capitalise on the dramatic user growth Player’s Health has seen over the last year.”

“The experience he brings leading strategy and growth for top commercial insurers is essential to the company at this pivotal point in our growth, and will further our mission of providing best-in-class products and services to the amateur sports athletes and organisations.” 

Anand was most recently the president and chief executive officer of Hallmark Financial Services from 2014 to 2021.

Prior to Hallmark, Anand served as the chief executive officer of the Americas and global chief operating officer of Torus Insurance Holdings. He also served as president and chief underwriting officer of CNA’s commercial insurance division in his time there from 2002 to 2009.

Founded in 2016, Player’s Health has seen phenomenal growth during the past year as it expanded across the US. In 2020, the company grew from supporting 400 sports organisations to more than 2,500, and has continued that growth trajectory in 2021, now serving more than 18 million athletes, parents, and coaches.

Player’s Health utilises proprietary risk management software and develops partnerships with sports management platforms. The insurtech tracks protocol evidence and provides injury management insights at a level not previously available in amateur sports. It supports the entire insurance value chain from risk management, distribution, underwriting, and claims.

The company is backed by insurtech venture capital firm Eos Venture Partners, RPM Ventures, Greenlight Re, as well as venture firms focused on the sports and insurance markets.

General Partner of Eos Venture Partners, Jonathan Kalman, says: “Player’s Health is solving a critical need in the sports and fitness market. Naveen has a fantastic pedigree and a history of building great insurance organizations and we are confident he can build a world class insurer in partnership with Tyrre at Player’s Health.”

Image: Player’s Health

Mark Dugdale