Markel restructures wholesale business

Markel is rejigging its wholesale operations with the appointment of a managing director for the division.

James Hastings will report to the Group chief executive William Stovin and joins the Markel board.

Hastings began his Markel career in 2013 in the role of managing director of professional and financial risks and was later promoted to lead for the specialty and financial lines division in 2016. 

In a statement, Markel said ”the changes to the leadership structure are designed to allow a more focused approach to how the business operates, how it meets the needs of broking clients and customers and how it identifies opportunities for growth and product development.

”It will also deliver operational efficiencies, in particular around data analytics, technology and marketing and communications.

Stovin commented: “We have seen significant growth over recent years and we now have two very clear operations, wholesale and national markets.

”It is important that both have a leader, James for wholesale and Henrik Bjornstad for national markets, with ultimate accountability to provide strategic direction for each division, but to also recognise opportunities for synergy across both.

“James has consistently demonstrated a drive and passion for progress, which along with his membership of the Markel International ExCo, since January 2018, makes him ideally placed to deliver our goals for the wholesale business.”