Markel International has become the first major insurer to sign up to the Kinnect platform since the initial launch group was formed last year.

Markel has also made arrangements with Marsh and Willis to allow all of its US North American property business with the two brokers to be handled through the Kinnect platform.

User trials with the two brokers are now under way, with plans for Markel's involvement to go live by the end of August.

Together with Kinnect and other users of the platform, Markel International said it would look at other classes of business to put through the Kinnect platform.

Meanwhile, two senior brokers from Marsh and Willis have joined Kinnect's advisory committee.

President of global placement at Marsh, Steve Matanle, and Grahame Millwater, chief executive Global Markets at Willis and Willis Re, have joined the board.