Specialty insurer Markel has brought in James Murray (pictured left) and Robert Hannaford (pictured right) to serve as general liability head and life science senior underwriter, respectively, within the international casualty team led by director Graeme Ivory.
Murray will collaborate with Ivory to steer a successful international general liability portfolio. His tasks include cultivating broker relationships and maintaining high service levels and response times. Murray will also recruit new underwriters and mentor existing staff to support their professional growth.
The new general liability head was previously with AXA XL, where he served as underwriting manager for international wholesale liability, UK and Lloyd’s. He led a team of underwriters and managed coverholder relationships across Canada, Australia, and Europe. Before AXA XL, he spent six years at MS Amlin’s international casualty division.
Hannaford, meanwhile, will be busy advancing Markel’s life science portfolio in London. His responsibilities span evaluating risk exposures and delivering customised insurance coverage through expert underwriting for a variety of life science enterprises.
With over 10 years of underwriting experience, Hannaford brings significant know-how in life sciences and large multinational programmes. Prior to joining Markel, he was with Newline Group for 11 years. There, he supported international clients and worked with global offices.
Ivory had this to say about the new hires: “I’m delighted to welcome Robert and James to the international casualty team, here at Markel. With their combined underwriting knowledge, expertise, and experience in portfolio management, I’m confident they’ll play an important role in helping us to realise our profitable growth ambitions for our life science and international general liability business lines.
“Both Robert and James’ arrival underpin our long-term commitment to supporting brokers and clients, as well as key business partners across Markel International’s specialty classes of business. I look forward to seeing the insights and contributions they’ll bring to support our strategic growth plans and ambitions for Markel’s specialty division in London.”
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