Markel Insurance, the insurance division of Markel Group Inc., has announced the appointment of Tom Hillier as Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO), alongside a new structure for its international operations.
He brings over 20 years of industry experience, most recently serving as Managing Director – Specialty at Markel International, after launching the insurer’s new Specialty practice within its International Wholesale division in 2023.
Prior to that, Hillier spent a decade at Brit Insurance, where he served as Managing Director of Specialty, and previously held roles at ACE European Group and AIG.
Alongside Hillier’s appointment, Markel International is introducing a new structure for its international operations to support its next phase of growth.
Before the end of 2025, Markel International will move from two divisions – Wholesale and National Markets – to five distinct businesses: Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, London Market (comprising Marine & Energy, PFR & Cyber, and Specialty), and the UK.
The new structure is designed to simplify decision-making, enhance customer focus, and support Markel’s ambition to build a scalable framework that enables each business to operate independently and make decisions best suited to its market.
For the newly established London Market business, which includes international teams based in the US, Markel will soon begin an open process to appoint a Managing Director, London Market, who will build on Markel’s strong position in Lloyd’s and the London Market.
All five businesses, along with the new CUO role, will report directly to Andrew McMellin.
As part of these changes, the positions of Wholesale Managing Director and National Markets Managing Director will no longer exist. Henrik Bjørnstad, former National Markets Managing Director, will leave the business at the end of the year.
Andrew McMellin, President of Markel International, commented: “Tom’s appointment as CUO is a key step in ensuring we have the right leadership in place to drive underwriting excellence and deepen our long-term partnerships with brokers and MGAs.
“The structural changes we’ve announced today are about setting Markel International up for long-term success. They give each of the five new businesses the clarity and focus they need to grow and deliver for our clients and brokers.
“I’d also like to thank Henrik for his leadership and the many valuable contributions he’s made over more than a decade with Markel International. I’m deeply grateful and wish him every success in his next chapter.”
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