Galjaard recently led the development of Markel UK’s new five-year strategy, but says his ’personal plans do not see me working in a full-time capacity until 2030’
Markel has appointed RSA’s former commercial lines managing director Lee Mooney as head of UK, with Neil Galjaard having decided to step down.
Mooney left RSA in May 2024 after the insurer acquired NIG and FarmWeb from Direct Line Group and Sonya Bryson was subsequently announced as his successor.
He takes up his new role at Markel following Galjaard stepping down as UK managing director after nine years.
Mooney is set to take over the leadership of the business towards the end of June and will report to Henrik Bjornstad, managing director of national markets at Markel International.
Bjornstad said: “Mooney is a strategic business leader with credible experience in a range of areas that form part of our UK business and vision for future success.
“He also has a fantastic reputation with brokers and distribution partners. I’ve no doubt he’ll build on the strong foundations already in place and deliver on the next phase of our profitable growth ambitions.”
Mooney added: “I’m excited to be joining Markel and look forward to building on the strong foundations and reputation it has in the UK.
“Markel is renowned for its people-powered approach and exceptional customer service. The vision to build broader teams and propositions on the back of such strength is an opportunity that I am delighted to be a part of. I can’t wait to meet up with the team and work together to make the most of the opportunities that await us.”
Galjaard stepping down
Since Galjaard took on the leadership role of Markel UK in 2016, revenue has grown by 200%.
Read: Neil Galjaard Q&A – Markel helping underwriters deliver ‘more responsive’ broker service
Read: Markel UK’s divisional managing director talks product strategy
Explore more people moves-related content here, or discover other news stories here
He recently led the development of its new five-year strategy – the core focus of which is to increase relevance with distribution partners and clients.
However, as Galjaard’s personal plans did not see him working in a full-time capacity throughout this period, he decided to step down once a successor had been found.
“Unfortunately, my personal plans do not see me working in a full-time capacity until 2030 and I believe in the need for a leader who’s able to see that through,” Galjaard said.
“I wish Mooney and the team every success in the future and look forward to seeing the continued growth of the business that will be achieved together with our broker partners.”
Bjornstad added: “The transformation he has helped to achieve, and the development of the new five-year strategy, mean we couldn’t be better positioned for future success.
“I’m incredibly grateful for all he has achieved and wish him the very best in the next phase of his professional and personal journey.”
His career began in 2019, when he joined a local north London newspaper after graduating from the University of Sheffield with a first-class honours degree in journalism.
He took up the position of deputy news editor at Insurance Times in March 2023, before being promoted to his current role in May 2024.View full Profile
No comments yet