Markel International appoints senior yacht underwriter

Specialist insurer, Markel International, has appointed Debbie O’Sullivan as senior yacht underwriter in its marine team.

O’Sullivan will be based in New Jersey, USA, and will focus on writing larger US yachts with values typically between $2m and $25m. She will join Markel International underwriters Mike Wimbridge, senior yacht underwriter, and Chris Lytton, assistant yacht underwriter, to form a trio handling large yacht risks and meeting worldwide demand.

Wimbridge commented: “We have known Debbie for a long time and we are delighted she’s going to be part of our team. She’s extremely well known and well connected in the US market and has an important role to play in broadening the distribution reach for our skills and expertise.”

O’Sullivan has been writing marine risks for more than three decades, starting at CIGNA Corporation and then moving to Chubb in 1986. In 1998, she was appointed as vice president, Chubb Limited, for North American yacht underwriting, product and pricing manager.    

Chris Fenn, marine managing director, added: “Since Mike’s appointment in 2016, Markel has established itself as a major player in the yacht market. Debbie’s appointment continues that progress, adding the US to our market interests in London, Singapore and Dubai.”