#USA #Richmond #Markel Insurance #US Wholesale #Specialty Division

Markel Insurance Leadership Changes

Markel Insurance, part of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), has recently made significant modifications to its leadership within the US Wholesale and Specialty division. These changes, announced on June 16, 2025, are part of a strategic shift designed to align better with the diverse demands of its wholesale and retail distribution channels. The organization has opted for a simplified structure, reducing its previous six US wholesale and two US retail regions down to four integrated US regions. This restructuring aims to not only accelerate growth but also enhance operational efficiency, allowing for a more streamlined process in serving partners and customers.

Wendy Houser, President of Wholesale and Specialty, stated, "Simplicity wins in the specialty insurance business. This streamlined approach will boost our growth by enhancing our ability to deliver top-notch insurance solutions to our partners and customers across wholesale and retail domains."

New Regional Leadership

In this newly restructured environment, specific appointments have been made to lead the regions identified as West, Central, Northeast, and Southeast:

• - Brian Gray has been appointed as the Regional President for the West region, assuming expanded responsibilities. With an extensive history at Markel spanning 22 years and having previously served as Regional President for the West region for eight years, Gray is well-prepared to oversee both wholesale and retail business operations in this crucial area.

• - Mimi Fiske takes on the role of Regional President for the Central region. Fiske, who has been with Markel for 11 years, previously led the former Midwest region. Her new position allows her greater geographic reach and responsibilities, ensuring a robust approach to both wholesale and retail operations.

• - Sal Pollaro has been designated as the Regional President for the expanded Northeast region, overseeing wholesale and retail sectors. Pollaro brings 16 years of experience with Markel, most recently as Executive Underwriting Officer for Professional Liability.

• - Hollis Zyglocke will head the Southeast region as Regional President. With seven years at Markel and a former role as President of the Mid-Atlantic region, Zyglocke is set to guide the region’s wholesale and retail sectors with an expanded geographic focus.

Additional Appointments and Growth Focus

Moreover, further leadership roles have been filled to strengthen the strategic vision:

• - Matt Huels has been appointed Chief Growth Officer for US Wholesale and Specialty after a successful tenure as Regional President for the West Retail Region over the past ten years.
• - Jim Hinchley has taken the position of President for Workers Compensation and Small Commercial Package, having joined Markel in 2024 as Chief Retail Officer.
• - Scott Whitehead now serves as Executive Underwriting Officer for Casualty, leveraging his 26 years of experience with Markel and his role as Senior Managing Director for Markel Insurtech.

According to Houser, these individuals are proven leaders within Markel, bringing inspirational leadership, knowledge, and expert relationships essential for effectively serving clients and driving profitable growth. She further emphasized that these changes would enhance the leadership capacity of Markel’s core US insurance operations, pushing the organization closer to its goal of being a market leader in the industry.

About Markel Insurance

Markel Insurance is renowned as a leading global specialty insurer, focusing on a people-first approach tailored to meet intricate and specific insurance requirements. As part of Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), the company blends a wide range of skills and expertise, facilitating intelligent solutions to address complex specialty insurance needs. However, the true differentiator for Markel is its dedicated personnel and the strong, valued relationships they foster with colleagues, brokers, and clients worldwide.