QBE adds to rugby portfolio with Lions deal

Insurance group QBE has agreed a deal to sponsor the British and Irish Lions rugby union team.

The deal names QBE a principal partner of the team for its 2017 tour of New Zealand. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

British and Irish Lions chief operating officer Charlie McEwen said: “As one of the world’s leading international insurers QBE’s ability to look at managing and mitigating risk from every possible angle means they understand how important it is for the Lions to build a strong backroom team to support the players.”

QBE already has a significant presence within the sport, sponsoring the likes of England Rugby and the Argentine Rugby Union (UAR).

The group joins Standard Life Investments, Canterbury, Mud House, Thomas Pink and Rhino as British and Irish Lions partners.

The Lions’ tour of New Zealand commences with a game against a Provincial Union XV on June 3, 2017 and ends with three Tests against the All Blacks.