Markel Group appoints new COO with focus on leadership, capital and culture

Markel has appointed a group transformation leader as chief operating officer, focussing on three pillars: capital allocation, attracting and supporting top leadership, and amplifying the company’s cultural values.

Markel Group has named Mike Heaton as executive vice president and chief operating officer. In this expanded role, he will oversee the day-to-day operations of the holding company and continue developing the system that supports Markel Group's family of companies.

Markel said Heaton has a substantial track record supporting the businesses. Most recently, he was executive vice president, where he led the transformation from Markel Corporation to Markel Group by establishing a more formal holding company identity, structure, and team. From 2016 to 2022, Heaton served as president of Markel Ventures, and he was chief operating officer of Markel Ventures before that.

Heaton will continue to report to Markel Group CEO Tom Gayner from its global headquarters in Glen Allen, Virginia.

"Mike has been by my side for close to two decades now," said Gayner. "He is an incredible operator and thought partner who played a huge role in building the team, structure, and processes that made Markel Group into a great home for businesses. Operating with this level of autonomy, accountability, and love for our companies is not easy, but the system that Mike and the team created, and will continue to evolve, makes it possible."

Heaton commented: "There is always more work to be done, but I really do think that we can be the best home in the world for businesses. A place where people with shared values have the space and support that they need to win. To have the opportunity to help build something like this is the honour of a lifetime, and I'm going to give everything I can to make it happen."

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