Markel lures Travelers exec

Specialist insurer Markel International has appointed David Sawyer as senior underwriter and head of professional indemnity in its professional and financial risks division (PFR).

He will manage and underwrite the division’s international portfolio of professional indemnity business, reporting to divisional managing director, James Hastings.

Sawyer joins Markel from Travelers Insurance Company where, since 2011, he has been responsible for the running of the professional indemnity portfolio. Prior to this, he held senior professional lines positions at QBE Insurance Europe.

Hastings said: “With over 20 years’ experience in the professional indemnity sector, David will bring with him a wealth of expertise and technical underwriting ability. He has excellent leadership skills, having held many management roles over his time at QBE and Travelers, and a strong network of broker relationships. We look forward to him playing an important part in the further development of our PFR team.”