- Markel Insurance (MKL, Financial) restructures its US and Bermuda operations into two new divisions.
- Wendy Houser and Alex Martin appointed as Presidents of the new divisions.
- Andrew McMellin joins as President, International, with a track record of significant growth.
Markel Insurance, a division of Markel Group Inc. (MKL), has initiated a major restructuring of its US and Bermuda operations. The operations will now be organized into two distinct divisions: US Wholesale and Specialty, and Programs and Solutions. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and market focus while empowering local teams to better serve customer needs.
The US Wholesale and Specialty division will be overseen by Wendy Houser, who has been with Markel for 16 years. Houser's prior experience includes roles as Chief Wholesale Officer and Chief Territory Officer, making her well-equipped to lead this division. Her primary focus will be on the company's US specialty insurance business flowing through wholesale and retail channels.
Alex Martin, with 19 years at Markel, has been appointed President of the Programs and Solutions division. This division will manage personal lines, Bermuda, surety, worker's compensation, small commercial general packages, and more specialized business areas. Martin's expansive experience across operations, underwriting, business development, strategy, and finance positions him as a strong leader for this segment.
Along with the divisional restructuring, Andrew McMellin has been appointed President, International. McMellin joins with a remarkable record, having led Markel's International Wholesale division to a 43% increase in gross written premium and a 214% increase in underwriting profit.
Other key leadership appointments include Glenn Harris as Chief Commercial Officer and Henry Gardener as Chief Risk Officer. These strategic leadership changes follow the appointment of Simon Wilson as CEO in March 2025, marking an ongoing effort to drive simplification and growth within Markel Insurance.
