Markel Group announced that Simon Wilson, currently president of Markel International, has been appointed chief executive officer of the company’s three primary underwriting businesses – Markel Specialty, Markel International, and Markel Global Reinsurance.
As part of the leadership transition, these businesses will now operate collectively under the name Markel Insurance.
Markel group CEO Tom Gayner said the company has grown significantly since going public in 1986, expanding from a small US insurer to a global specialty insurance provider.
Wilson has more than 20 years of experience in the specialty insurance sector. He joined Markel in 2010 to lead international business development, playing a key role in expanding Markel International beyond London into Europe, Canada, and Asia. These operations grew to $2.5 billion in gross written premium in 2023.
In January 2020, he was named managing executive of global strategy, supporting underwriting operations across the company. Since becoming president of Markel International in 2021, the division has seen a nearly 40% increase in gross written premiums and a more than 250% rise in net underwriting profit. Before joining Markel, Wilson led the Lloyd’s Asia platform in Singapore.
With this leadership transition, Jeremy Noble will leave the company. Gayner acknowledged Noble’s contributions, noting his efforts to strengthen Markel’s insurance operations over the past few years.
As part of the restructuring, the leadership teams at State National and Nephila will also continue to operate independently while now reporting directly to Markel Group. These businesses, alongside Markel Insurance, will maintain collaboration where market opportunities align.
The major appointment follows improved financial results for the company, with Markel Group noting that it exceeded its targets in 2024. The company reported total operating revenue of $16.62 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, up from $15.80 billion a year earlier. Net income was $199.32 per share, compared with $146.98 per share a year earlier.
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