Markel bolsters marine transportation business with two leadership appointments

Markel Insurance has expanded its marine transportation leadership team with the appointment of Dean Johnson as head of transport and logistics and Rhys O’Neill as head of marine liability.

The appointments follow the recent creation of Markel’s marine transportation business, which combined expertise from the firm’s hull and hull war, marine and energy liabilities (M&E) and transport and logistics divisions.

Markel said that in his new role, Johnson will “lead the sustainable expansion of Markel’s transport and logistics portfolio, overseeing robust risk assessment and pricing decisions while driving portfolio optimisation”.

O’Neill, meanwhile, has been tasked with leading the “marine liability strategy to drive further profitable growth across the M&E portfolio”, as well as “managing, assessing and placing complex risks with brokers, ensuring clients continue to receive bespoke insurance solutions”.

The incoming pair will both serve at the firm’s London offices, reporting directly to recently appointed director of marine transportation, Grant Smith.

Increasing complexity

According to O’Neill, the marine and energy liability market is “experiencing a period of heightened geopolitical volatility where risks are becoming increasingly integrated and more complex than ever before”.

“As head of marine liability, and together with Markel’s M&E team, I will ensure that our brokers continue to receive the high level of service that they’ve come to expect and value from Markel,” he added.

Johnson said: “In my new position, I’m looking forward to enhancing our products, services and support and strengthening cohesion between our underwriting teams and broker partners to provide clarity of coverage and long-term, sustainable solutions for clients navigating an increasingly complex risk environment.”