Get to know Tim Skilton, Motorsport Client Director, the driving force behind the launch of MX Motorsport. With over 20 years of underwriting experience, Tim brings specialist expertise to one of the most complex sectors in the industry.
Early days
Tim’s career in insurance started in a way many can relate to – he fell into it. After finishing his A-levels, his parents decided to relocate to France to run a gîte business. Not quite ready to embrace the French countryside aged 18, Tim needed a job. The first opportunity that came his way was with Norwich Union, and over 20 years later, he’s still in the industry.
Over the years, Tim built a reputation as a highly skilled underwriter, particularly in manufacturing and leisure. It was during his time at Travellers that he first encountered motorsport risks while working on accounts such as Williams F1 Engineering. This sparked a real interest in the unique challenges and high standards of the motorsport sector.
“The quality of workmanship and the complexity of the risks involved in motorsport were on another level compared to general manufacturing,” Tim explains. “It made me want to specialise in it.”
Developing a specialism
Tim’s growing expertise in motorsport underwriting led to a pivotal moment when Allianz approached him to build out a dedicated motorsport offering within their entertainment division. Tasked with creating a product from scratch, Tim spent eight years developing one of the largest motorsport books of business in Europe.
“It was a blank slate,” Tim recalls. “It was incredibly rewarding to build something so specialised from the ground up.”
Next, MX
After successfully establishing a market-leading offering at Allianz, Tim was eager for a new challenge. Through industry connections, Tim was introduced to MX where, combined with their specialist-focus, he could shape a fresh approach to motorsport risks. With MX’s commitment to tailored solutions, he saw the potential to build an offering designed to truly support motorsport clients and their unique risk challenges.
The launch of MX Motorsport represents a fresh chapter, for both Tim and MX, focused on solutions for motorsport risks particularly on risk control and safety management. His role now combines underwriting, client relationships, and site visits to assess and manage exposures directly.
“A lot of people hear ‘motorsport’ and immediately think high risk,” Tim says. “But the reality is that it’s a huge ecosystem – circuits, governing bodies, manufacturers, teams – and the key is understanding those different elements and how to manage the associated risks.”
A specialist approach to a specialist sector
Tim is clear that MX Motorsport isn’t solely about expansion – it’s about precision and expertise. This approach is built to give brokers the tools to manage the increasingly complex and niche motorsport risks effectively, which are being led by industry advances in technology, safety regulations and sustainability initiatives,
“We want to get it right,” Tim emphasises. “Motorsport clients need an insurance partner who understands their world and is committed to helping them manage the risks involved. That’s what we’re offering.”
With Tim in the driving seat, MX Motorsport is already gaining traction, and brokers are starting to take notice of the specialist expertise available. For Tim, it’s the culmination of years of industry experience and a passion for doing things properly.
The motorsport sector is constantly evolving, with continuous safety advances helping to reduce risks. For Tim, the real challenge lies in the limited markets that truly understand the sport’s complexities. “Motorsport is always on the cutting edge, but that requires an in-depth understanding of the risks involved,” Tim says. “Some players in the market will take on bits and pieces of motorsport underwriting without a full understanding of the nuances, and that can lead to significant losses and already limited markets pulling back.”
The key, as Tim sees it, is balance between a greater number of players for longevity, but ensuring these markets remain informed and up-to-date on their knowledge and understanding on the motorsport industry.
“It’s exciting to be in a position where we can build something sustainable,” he concludes. “The early response has been encouraging – and it’s just the beginning.”
Ian Cook, Managing Director, added: “Tim’s proven ability to craft tailored solutions for complex liability risks and his knack for identifying opportunities for brokers makes him key to MX and to our broker partners. His expertise adds to MX’s growing capability to support brokers across a broader spectrum of specialist areas, ensuring they have the right solutions for the most challenging risks.”
Interested in finding out more about MX Motorsport?
Whether you have clients with motorsport-related risks or are looking to explore a new niche, get in touch with Tim today. Tim’s expertise can help you navigate the complexities of Motorsport insurance and ensure you have the right solution for your clients’ needs.
