Pictured left to right: Neil Galjaard, Alistair Brownlee, Jonny Brownlee, and Simon Wilson
Markel has opened its new office at City Square House in Leeds.
The commercial lines insurer marked the occasion with a special appearance by Olympic medallists and Leeds natives Alistair and Jonny Brownlee. The Brownlee brothers, renowned for their accomplishments in triathlon, joined about 180 Markel employees, clients, and special guests at this month’s opening event.
Yorkshire broadcaster Steph Hirst hosted the ceremony, during which the Brownlees teamed up with Neil Galjaard, Markel UK’s divisional managing director, and Simon Wilson, president of Markel International. Together, they pedalled stationary bikes to power the opening countdown.
Occupying 20,000 square feet across the ninth and 10th floors of the newly developed office building, the new Markel Leeds site “marks the start of the next chapter,” said the insurer.
Since opening its first regional office in the city in 1990, Markel has steadily grown its workforce, now employing around 160 people in the area.
Speaking at the event, Galjaard reflected on the company’s deep connection with Leeds, saying” “Markel’s success has been inextricably linked to Leeds since we opened our first office here more than 30 years ago.
“It’s fantastic to be able to welcome not only colleagues from across the world to our new office in the city but to also have two of the city’s finest medal-winning Olympians with us to help celebrate.”
He added that the move to the new facilities would enhance the company’s capacity to continue providing bespoke insurance solutions across the UK.
Meanwhile Wilson also highlighted the importance of Leeds to Markel’s UK operations.
“Our Leeds team has been an integral part of our UK business since we opened in 1990, providing a vital regional presence so that we can offer a dedicated, local service to brokers and clients,” he declared, noting that regional hubs contribute valuable ideas, talent, and perspectives.
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