Insurer opens Stockholm-based division to focus on marine business.

Markel International, the international property and casualty insurer, has officially launched its Stockholm-based, Nordic and Baltic operation.

Markel International Sweden is a branch of Markel International Insurance Company Limited with an initial focus on writing a portfolio of marine business and will broaden its product offering over time to include some of the 80 products offered via the London head office.

Ove Staaf, managing director of Markel International Sweden, said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for Markel and insurance buyers across the Nordic and Baltic regions and I believe the company’s ethos will be a good fit in our markets."

Paul Springman, president and COO of Markel Corporation, said: “With all Stockholm-based underwriters holding at least 25 years of insurance experience, the core team of five have a superior knowledge and understanding of working in the these markets which places us in an excellent position to make a great success of this operation.”