Markel plunders Brit to set up int'l wholesale specialty & casualty

Markel has launched a specialty practice within its international wholesale division, adding a new casualty team to the mix and mining rival Brit Insurance for top talent to lead the new forays. 

The moves “signal Markel’s continued growth in the wholesale business and commitment to specialty classes, to best serve its key business partners,” Markel said of developments.  

Specialty will bring together Marine and Energy Liability, Equine and Livestock, and the Trade Credit, Political Risk, and Surety (TCPRS) underwriting teams, as well as the new international casualty line. 

Tom Hillier will step in as divisional managing director for the new specialty division. He arrives from Brit Insurance where he was managing director of specialty.

A brand new casualty team will be led by Graeme Ivory, also hailing from Brit Insurance where he last served as head of liability. Ivory joined Brit in 2014 and has also held underwriting roles at ACE Europe, Zurich Global Energy, and Catlin 2003 Syndicate.  

Andrew McMellin, Managing Director of Wholesale at Markel International, commented:  “I’m delighted to unveil our new dedicated Specialty division with Tom at the helm, to bring together elements of longer tail lines, encourage teamwork, and enhance best-in-class underwriting, as well as provide greater scale for our broking partners. I’m also thrilled to welcome Graeme to the team as we set up our International Casualty capability ... I look forward to the insights they will bring as we drive forward our ambitious global agenda across our key business lines.”

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