Burnett joins cargo team, Leach promoted within specialty division

James Leach

Markel International has appointed Richard Burnett as senior underwriter, cargo, and promoted James Leach to senior contingency underwriter in its specialty division.

Burnett joins from Ark Syndicate Management, where he was a founder of the marine team in 2007.

He was previously at Wellington Underwriting for 25 years and joined the Lloyd;s market in 1981.

During his time in the market, he has been involved in all the main marine lines of business including hull, war and marine liability and has recently specialised in cargo and specie.

Markel’s marine and energy division managing director Paul Jenks said: “Richard has a long and extensive experience of the Lloyd;s marine market, across a range of lines, and we are looking forward to his valuable contribution to the development of our business in this market.”

Leach has been with Markel since 2009 and joined from Sirius International, where he spent more than 2 years as an assistant underwriter, following a career in sports management.

He also sits on the contingency society committee.

Markel’s specialty division joint managing director Wayne Paternoster said: “We are delighted to announce James’s promotion to senior underwriter and look forward to his continuing contribution to the success of our contingency business.”

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