Ex-Towergate small business unit chief joins Markel

Markel International has hired Neil Galjaard as divisional managing director of Markel UK, its regional business in the UK.

In this new role, Galjaard will have overall responsibility for the development and growth of the business.

The division comprises Markel UK, accountants’ fee protection insurer and tax consultancy Abbey Tax, and legal expenses insurance and legal advice business Abbey Legal.

Prior to joining Markel, Galjaard was chief executive of Towergate’s small business unit.

Markel national markets managing director Simon Wilson said: ”Our three units offer a range of services that are business critical to all commercial organisations. Increasingly, customers will want to be able to buy these, and other services, on an integrated basis and through a range of distribution mechanisms.

“We are delighted to have Neil’s experience in financial services and private equity to lead the senior management team to deliver Markel’s solution to this unmet customer need.”

Galjaard added: “Markel have a unique set of capabilities which, when delivered as an integrated offering, will enable it to further support the broker and affinity markets in delivering exceptional solutions for their customers.”