Markel boosts retail division

Markel International has added John Parkinson and Rupert Joce to its retail division, Markel (UK).

Parkinson has been appointed as business operations manager and will develop online trading capabilities Markel (UK). He was previously operations director Hastings Insurance Services.

Joce has been appointed as senior technical underwriter with responsibility for expanding the businesses social welfare account. He previously spent nine years as a development underwriter with Ecclesiastical.

Steve Carroll, managing director of Markel (UK), said: “With over 25 years’ experience in the insurance industry, John will play a key role in helping us to grow Markel's retail business.

“John's vast experience in e-trading will be invaluable to us as we strive to achieve our ambitious online trading aspirations, an area of the business which is becoming increasingly important. He brings with him a host of new ideas in this regard and we're glad to have such an experienced individual on board.”

Carroll added: “As an insurer who values and appreciates technical underwriting skills, we are pleased to employ someone of Rupert's calibre.

“Social welfare is a key area of our business and we are developing a team of high class individuals who thoroughly understand this specialist subject. Rupert certainly falls into this category and I am sure he will play his part to the full in building upon our early success.”