Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group (NYSE), today announced the appointment of Grant Smith as Director, Marine & Energy Liability, International Specialty, effective immediately.
Smith’s appointment is the latest step in enhancing Markel’s international specialty underwriting capabilities and expertise, following the launch of its International Specialty practice last December.
In his new role, Smith will lead the Marine & Energy Liability team within Markel’s International Wholesale business. He will be responsible for driving sustainable, profitable growth initiatives that align with Markel’s long-term strategic vision, aiming to expand market share and further establish Markel as a market leader in Marine and Energy liabilities. Additionally, he will focus on strengthening relationships with key stakeholders and developing and nurturing existing underwriting talent. Smith will be based in London and report to Tom Hillier, Managing Director, International Specialty, at Markel.
Hillier commented: “Clients currently face a challenging environment due to economic inflation and changes to regulatory and legal frameworks, combined with emerging technological and climate-related liability risks, making it increasingly important to ensure they have insurance cover that meets their evolving needs.
“When we established the Specialty practice within our International Wholesale business last year, we set out ambitious goals for our Marine & Energy Liability team, centred on delivering sustainable, profitable growth and establishing ourselves as a leader in the market in terms of underwriting and service.
“I’m therefore delighted to welcome Grant on board to lead our Marine & Energy Liability team. I’m confident his background and experience will position him to lead the team in delivering on our ambitious goals for this class of business and provide a superior service proposition to our clients and brokers.”
Smith brings extensive knowledge of the liability insurance market, having spent more than 17 years of his career in various underwriting and leadership positions within this class of business. He joins Markel from QBE, where he was most recently Portfolio Manager, Specialty, QBE European Operations—a role he held since 2014, with responsibility for managing an extensive portfolio of international marine business, including liability, hull, and P&I classes. Prior to joining QBE as a Marine & Energy Liability Underwriter in 2011, Smith spent five years in various underwriting roles across marine and aviation at Travelers.