Markel poaches Beazley underwriter to expand cyber offering

Markel International, the specialist insurer, has appointed Andrew Maher as senior underwriter, emerging risks, within its specialty and financial lines division.

Maher’s focus will be on further development and expansion of the division’s cyber offering.

Reporting to Scott Bailey, head of emerging risks, Maher will underwrite emerging risk across multiple business sizes, industries and territories. Predominantly he will write US cyber and technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) risks, including both Lloyd’s and service-company accounts.

Prior to Markel, Maher served as underwriter on the technology and media team at Beazley, where he wrote a broad portfolio of cyber risk.

Markel has historically underwritten emerging risk on an international (excluding USA) basis, but is now widening its geographical capabilities with the addition of US domiciled and exposed risk capabilities.

“The development of our emerging risk business for US risks is a natural extension of our international offering and gives us a unique advantage in the ever toughening global privacy legal landscape, especially given the looming EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR),” said Bailey.

“In addition to the experience we already have in the international market, our expansion into the US will increase our contact with a broader range of brokers across the London market. Working with our colleagues in the US, we will now be able to accommodate US business placed both domestically and in London.

“We’re very happy to have Andrew join our team, and his significant cyber experience will further complement our broker offering.”