LONDON, Aug. 15,
2024 /CNW/ -- Markel, the insurance operations within
Markel Group (NYSE:MKL), today announced the appointment of
Grant Smith as Director, Marine
& Energy Liability, International Specialty, with immediate
effect.
Smith's appointment is the latest in a move to enhance Markel's
international specialty underwriting capabilities and expertise,
following the launch of its International Specialty practice last
December.
In his new role, Smith will lead the Marine & Energy
Liability team across Markel's International Wholesale business. He
will be responsible for driving sustainable, profitable growth
initiatives that align with Markel's long-term strategic vision,
aiming to expand market share and further establish Markel as a
market leader in Marine and Energy liabilities. He will also focus
on strengthening relationships with key stakeholders and developing
and nurturing existing underwriting talent. Smith will be based in
London and report to Tom Hillier, Managing Director, International
Specialty, at Markel.
Hillier commented: "Clients currently face a challenging
environment, because of economic inflation and changes to
regulatory and legal frameworks, combined with emerging
technological and climate-related liability risks, making it
increasingly important to ensure they have insurance cover that
meets their evolving needs.
"When we established the Specialty practice within our
International Wholesale business last year, we set out ambitious
goals for our Marine & Energy Liability team, centered on the
delivery of sustainable, profitable growth and establishing
ourselves as a leader in the market in terms of underwriting and
service.
"I'm therefore delighted to welcome Grant on board to lead our
Marine & Energy liability team. I'm confident his background
and experience will position him to lead the team to deliver on our
ambitious goals for this class of business and provide a superior
service proposition to our clients and brokers."
Smith has extensive knowledge of the liability insurance market,
having spent more than 17 years of his career working in various
underwriting and leadership positions across this class of
business. He joins Markel from QBE, where he was most recently
Portfolio Manager Specialty, QBE European Operations – a role he
held since 2014, with responsibility for managing an extensive
portfolio of international marine business, including liability,
hull and P&I classes. Prior to joining QBE as a Marine &
Energy Liability Underwriter in 2011, Smith had spent five years
working in various underwriting roles across marine and aviation at
Travelers.
About Markel
We are Markel, a leading global specialty
insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance
operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we operate the
Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global
Reinsurance divisions, as well as State National, our portfolio
protection and program services operations, and Nephila, our
insurance-linked securities operations. Our broad array of
capabilities and expertise allow us to create intelligent solutions
for the most complex risk management needs. However, it is our
people—and the deep, valued relationships they develop with
colleagues, brokers and clients—that differentiates us
worldwide.
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SOURCE Markel