#London #United Kingdom #Markel Insurance #CUO #Tom Hillier

Markel International Announces Leadership Changes and Restructuring

London, October 13, 2025 – In a significant move to enhance its international operations, Markel Insurance has elevated Tom Hillier to the position of Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), pending regulatory approval. This appointment, coupled with a strategic restructuring of the company's global operations, signals Markel's commitment to profitable growth and stronger partnerships in the insurance sector.

Appointment of Tom Hillier

With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, Tom Hillier brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role. Prior to this appointment, he served as Managing Director of Specialty at Markel Insurance, where he successfully launched a new Specialty practice within the International Wholesale division in 2023. Before joining Markel in December 2023, Hillier held a similar leadership role at Brit Insurance, focusing on specialty underwriting. His extensive background in Property and Casualty insurance, particularly his expertise in enhancing underwriting performance, positions him well to lead Markel's underwriting strategy on a global scale.

As CUO, Hillier will be responsible for overseeing the underwriting strategy and governance across Markel's international operations. His leadership will be pivotal in working closely with business leaders to drive profitability, improve underwriting discipline, and strengthen relationships with brokers and Managing General Agents (MGAs).

A New International Structure

Accompanying Hillier’s appointment is the unveiling of a new international structure at Markel Insurance, reflecting the significant growth the company has achieved and setting the stage for future expansion. Markel International will transition from a dual-division structure of Wholesale and National Markets to five distinct business units:

• - Asia-Pacific
• - Canada
• - Europe
• - London Market (consisting of Marine Energy, PFR Cyber, and Specialty)
• - UK

This revamped structure aims to streamline decision-making processes, enhance customer focus, and support Markel’s ambition of becoming a leading player in the global insurance market. Each business unit will have the autonomy to make decisions suited to their specific markets, allowing for better scalability and responsiveness to client needs.

The London Market division, which will include international teams located in the United States, will integrate Markel's three primary product areas under a unified leadership team. The company plans to initiate a search for a Managing Director for the London Market, who will be tasked with further solidifying Markel's presence in Lloyd's and the broader London Market.

Changes in Leadership

Subsequent to these major structural changes, the roles of Wholesale Managing Director and National Markets Managing Director will be phased out. Henrik Bjørnstad, the former National Markets Managing Director, will leave the company at the end of the year. Andrew McMellin, President of Markel International, expressed his confidence in Hillier’s ability to lead the company in its next chapter and emphasized the importance of these structural reforms in paving the way for Markel’s long-term success.

McMellin stated, "Tom's appointment as CUO is a critical step in ensuring that we have the right leadership in place to drive our underwriting excellence and deepen our long-term partnerships. We are setting Markel International up for success by granting each new business clarity and focus to help them grow and deliver outstanding results for our clients and brokers." He also took a moment to appreciate Henrik Bjørnstad's contributions during his long tenure with the company.

About Markel Insurance

Markel Insurance operates as a leading global specialty insurer, emphasizing a people-first approach. As part of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), the company leverages its extensive capabilities to provide intelligent solutions for complex specialty insurance needs. Central to Markel’s success is the strong, valued relationships forged between its personnel, brokers, and clients, which differentiate it in a competitive market.

As Markel Insurance embarks on this new journey under the leadership of Tom Hillier and an enhanced global structure, the company is poised to strengthen its market position and continue delivering excellence in service and partnerships.