Markel Specialty divides US and Bermuda units
Markel Insurance has divided its US and Bermuda operations into two distinct divisions, restructuring its specialty business in the wake of a recent leadership change.
The move follows the appointment of a new CEO and is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations across its primary insurance platform.
Markel’s US and Bermuda operations, to-date “Markel Specialty”, will head into a divisional split.
US Wholesale and Specialty will handle the US specialty business flowing through the company’s core wholesale and retail channels, led by 16-year Markel vet Wendy Houser, most recently chief wholesale officer for Markel Specialty.
Alongside, new unit Programs and Solutions will take up Markel’s personal lines, Bermuda, surety, worker’s compensation, small commercial general package, programs and alliances and insurtech businesses. Alex Martin, who had headed the broader Markel Specialty, takes the reins here as the latest in a 19-year journey with the firm.
“The best way to profitably grow a specialised and diversified business like ours is to equip and empower our local experts to serve the needs of the customers that they know best,” said Markel Insurance CEO Simon Wilson. “These changes are an initial step to ensure that we have the divisional structure and leaders in place to do just that.”
Andrew McMellin, with the group since 2022 as head of the international wholesale division, steps up to replace Simon Wilson in his previous post of president of international.
Glenn Harris, 15-years at Markel, has been appointed chief commercial officer, a role Markel claims is designed to “ensure the voice of the customer has a constant place at the leadership table”.
Henry Gardener has been appointed chief risk officer. He has been with Markel for 11 years, most recently serving as senior managing director of legal and chief risk officer, international.
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