Markel UK snaps up Hiscox veteran as director of underwriting

Insurer Markel UK has appointed Mark Plews as director of underwriting, effective immediately.

The new hire joins after spending 16 years in commercial and financial lines underwriting at Hiscox, where he was most recently head of schemes and partnerships.

Before Hiscox, he worked at AIG in Glasgow for several years.

In his new role, based in the firm’s Leeds office, Plews will assume full responsibility for Markel UK’s underwriting strategy. He will also become a member of the insurer’s UK executive team.

Plews succeeds Simon Fell, who is retiring but will remain as a consultant to support the transition progress.

Markel UK divisional managing director Neil Galjaard said this is a “key role for Markel” as it continues to deliver on its five-year growth ambition.

Next phase

Galjaard continued: “The transition period leading up to Simon’s retirement has allowed us the time to explore the best talent in the market and we are delighted to appoint someone with Mark’s credentials and experience to shape our underwriting strategy.

“As the business moves onto its next phase of expansion, Mark will play a pivotal role in our continued development of market-leading solutions to support our customers.”

Plews added: “I am very excited to be joining a company experiencing such tremendous growth and with an impeccable track record and reputation in the market.

“The ambition within the business stands out and strength of culture is clearly evident.”

Markel UK achieved a four star rating from brokers in this year’s Five Star Rating Report: Commercial Lines 2022, published by Insurance Times this month.