Beyond the final whistle |
Join us to discover the latest insights on the key challenges, trends, and advancements in the world of sports medicine insurance.
Beyond the final whistle is a seminar series hosted by Peter Wickham, Divisional Director at Howden Health & Care, and special guests, delivered both in person and online in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Across the series, we’ll explore the real and emerging risks shaping elite sport, from pitch-side medical indemnity and high-profile injury litigation, to the types of claims that could arise during the World Cup, current market trends, and the underwriter’s view of today’s sports insurance landscape. Bringing together clinicians, brokers, underwriters and legal experts, each session combines frontline experience with practical insight to help sports professionals, consultants, clubs and governing bodies better understand their exposure and strengthen their protection. Each seminar will also include a dedicated Q&A session, giving attendees the opportunity to put their questions directly to our panel and gain practical, real-world insight. Please note, this is event will be available in-person and online. Spaces are limited for in-person attendance, so please ensure to indicate when registering if you intend to join us in person.
Join us as we look beyond the action on the pitch to examine the medical, legal and financial realities that shape modern sport — long after the final whistle blows.
Seminar one | 30th April
Pete Wickham is joined by Daniella Negri da Oleggio, Majid Hassan, James Calder and international Italian rugby player Sebastian Negri da Oleggio for a powerful discussion on what happens when sport meets clinical risk.
Please note the key timings for this event:
🕢 7:30pm – Seminar starts online
Seminar two | 12th May
Pete Wickham joins Majid Hassan and Richard Booth to explore the key claims and liability risks that could emerge during the World Cup — from extreme heat and travel with injuries to mounting player welfare pressures.
Please note the key timings for this event:
🕕 6:00pm – In-person networking begins
🕢 7:30pm – Seminar starts (for both in-person and online attendees)
Seminar three | 3rd June
In this session, Pete Wickham is joined by James Defroand, Divisional Director at Howden Sports & Entertainment team, to unpack the latest shifts in the sports insurance market. From evolving risk profiles and coverage gaps to how athlete and medical indemnity policies intersect, they’ll explore what’s changing, what’s driving it, and what sports professionals and organisations should be thinking about ahead of renewal.
Please note the key timings for this event:
🕕 6:00pm – In-person networking begins
🕢 7:30pm – Seminar starts (for both in-person and online attendees)
Seminar four | 16th June
Pete Wickham is joined by Sabrina Meetaroo, Head of Legal, Risk and Claims at Howden, and CNA’s Louise Bett/Melissa Gelder to provide an underwriter’s perspective on today’s sports insurance market. Together, they’ll examine emerging risks, claims trends in clinical negligence, how policies are being structured and priced, and what strong risk management looks like in practice — offering practical insight for organisations and consultants preparing for renewal.
Please note the key timings for this event:
🕕 6:00pm – In-person networking begins
🕢 7:30pm – Seminar starts (for both in-person and online attendees)
Seminar five
Further details to be announced.
Speaker biographies
Peter Wickham
Peter Wickham is a London-based Divisional Director and highly experienced medical malpractice insurance broker with over 30 years in the insurance industry. Beginning his career in household and motor insurance, he progressed within a decade to become a Sales Director in healthcare, where he has specialised ever since. Peter has developed deep expertise in medical malpractice and clinical risk, with a particular focus on the sports sector, where he has long been involved and now works extensively with practitioners, clubs, and national governing bodies.
He is committed to addressing the growing challenges facing doctors—particularly the rising cost of indemnity that is driving experienced professionals out of the field and creating barriers for new entrants—by developing innovative, accessible insurance solutions. As part of this, Pete is recognised for his leadership in high-performance sporting environments, advising on governance, and risk management frameworks, helping organisations strengthen duty of care while supporting sustainable elite performance.
Majid Hassan
Majid Hassan has over thirty years’ experience acting for insurers as well as advising hospitals and clinicians in all aspects of legal proceedings. He leads the medical malpractice team at specialist healthcare firm Capsticks. As well defending doctors in the NHS and private sector, Majid has for several years advised doctors working in elite sport as well as their organisations. Offering the benefit of his expertise on areas such as litigation and risk management he has not only dealt with high profile claims but also helped developed risk and governance measures within sport to improve safety and avoid claims. He has advised medical teams at Liverpool FC , Man Utd FC and the Football Association of Wales as well as a Formula One team. Majid is recognised as a leader in his field by independent legal directories Chambers and Legal 500 with clients quoted as saying
“Majid Hassan is brilliant. Efficient, knowledgeable, great work ethic. He is superb at what he does"
Daniella Negri da Oleggio
Daniella began her insurance career in international private medical insurance as a claims manager with Health International in Zimbabwe. This followed the completion of her LLM (Legal Practice Solicitors) and LLB (Hons). During her time, at the University of Edinburgh, she authored a report on the duty of candour for the charity, Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA); in addition, she volunteered with Anthony Nolan to educate the public about stem cell donation and joining the donor register. At Health International, Daniella worked to assess, monitor and approve claims for members across Southern Africa. After an intra-company move, Daniella focused on business development for Southeast Asia and Europe. Daniella joined Howden in June 2023 as an Account Handler; she is now an Account Executive for the Health & Care team.
Sebastian Negri da Oleggio
Sebastian is an international rugby union player, playing as a blindside flanker for Benetton Treviso and the Italy national team. He began his representative journey with Italy U20 between 2013 and 2014, before progressing to Italy A from 2015 to 2017, where he captained the side. During this period, he also developed his game in England with Hartpury, representing both the BUCS 1st XV and Hartpury RFC while completing a BA (Hons) in Sports Business.
In 2017, he joined Benetton Treviso, where he has remained a central figure ever since, contributing consistently in the United Rugby Championship and European competitions. His senior international debut for Italy came in 2016, marking the beginning of a distinguished international career.
A regular in the Six Nations Championship since 2018, he has earned recognition as one of the competition’s standout performers, notably in 2023 where he was named in six “Team of the Tournament” selections. His international experience also includes appearances at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, achieving the milestone of his 50th cap during the 2023 tournament. In May 2023, he was selected to start for a World XV against the Barbarians, further highlighting his reputation on the global stage. Combining leadership, athleticism, and international experience, he continues to be a driving force for both club and country.
Professor James Calder
Professor Calder has an internationally recognised reputation in the expert treatment of sports injuries. He works with international athletes and sports professionals including Premier League football teams, Paris St Germain, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Aviva Premiership rugby clubs in addition to the British Olympic team, British athletics, gymnastics, hockey, netball and sailing, England cricket, rugby and football. Furthermore, he regularly provides care for patients from the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden and Birmingham Royal Ballet and is Medical Advisor to Dance UK.
Professor Calder remains actively involved in research projects at the Imperial College and the Fortius Clinic. He is President of ESSKA-AFAS and immediate Past-Chairman of the Achilles Tendon Study Group. He is Specialty Editor at the Bone and Joint Journal and was Associate Editor of Knee Surgery, Sports, Traumatology and Arthroscopy (KSSTA) Journal until 2014. Professor Calder served on the Clinical Studies Group for Arthritis Research UK and has done since 2011. His main areas of research include Achilles tendon, articular cartilage and sports-related ankle and foot injuries. He has developed a major clinical interest in the arthroscopic treatment (keyhole surgery) of ankle conditions and sports-related foot and ankle injuries.
Richard Booth
Richard Booth KC has practised at 1 Crown Office Row since being called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1993 and is the current Head of Chambers. He grew up in South Wales before taking degrees in Cambridge and Brussels. As a junior, he had a broad base of advocacy experience in a variety of courts and tribunals the length and breadth of the country.
He specialises in clinical negligence, disciplinary / regulatory law, personal injury (especially brain and sports injuries), costs, inquests and sports law. Richard is instructed in a wide variety of sports injury claims, including those of maximum severity, as well as in disciplinary and regulatory proceedings (including on behalf of the RFU). He has particular recent experience of claims relating to concussions and brain injury and has spoken at numerous conferences in relation to head injury claims in sport.
Richard has a particular expertise in athlete welfare, especially at the interface between sport and medicine. In addition, he has experience of selection disputes (including for a Paralympic squad). Richard is recommended as a leading silk for Personal Injury by the Legal 500 with recent editorial noting “Richard is very calm and extremely familiar with all aspects of sports and personal injury law.