Markel bolsters marine and vitality legal responsibility division with new director

Markel has appointed Grant Smith (pictured above) as director of marine & vitality legal responsibility for its worldwide specialty division, efficient instantly.

The corporate highlighted Smith’s appointment as a part of Markel’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its worldwide specialty underwriting capabilities, following the launch of its international specialty practice in December of final 12 months.

Smith brings greater than 17 years of expertise within the legal responsibility insurance coverage market, having held varied underwriting and management roles. He joins Markel from QBE, the place he most not too long ago served as portfolio supervisor specialty for QBE European Operations, managing a large portfolio of worldwide marine enterprise, together with legal responsibility, hull, and P&I lessons.

Earlier than his time at QBE, Smith labored in underwriting roles throughout marine and aviation at Travelers, starting his profession within the business.

In his new function, Smith will lead the marine & vitality legal responsibility crew inside Markel’s worldwide wholesale enterprise. He can be tasked with driving progress initiatives that align with Markel’s long-term strategic objectives. He can be primarily based in London and can report back to Tom Hillier, managing director of worldwide specialty at Markel.

Hillier famous that shoppers are at the moment navigating a difficult atmosphere resulting from financial inflation, adjustments in regulatory and authorized frameworks, and rising technological and climate-related legal responsibility dangers.

Hillier additionally highlighted that when the specialty observe was established inside Markel’s Worldwide Wholesale enterprise final 12 months, the corporate set bold objectives for the marine & vitality legal responsibility crew, targeted on attaining sustainable and worthwhile progress and establishing management in underwriting and repair.

“I’m subsequently delighted to welcome Grant on board to steer our marine & vitality legal responsibility crew. I’m assured his background and expertise will place him to steer the crew to ship on our bold objectives for this class of enterprise and supply a superior service proposition to our shoppers and brokers,” he mentioned.

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