Markel Insurance, part of Markel Group Inc., has named Tom Hillier as its new chief underwriting officer (CUO) as it prepares for a major shakeup in its international business structure. The insurance company plans to shift from its current two-division system to five separate businesses by the end of 2025, aiming for clearer focus and better growth across different regions.
The new structure will include five distinct areas: Asia-Pacific, Canada, Europe, London Market, and the UK. The London Market division will bring together Markel’s marine and energy, professional, financial risk and cyber, and specialty product lines under one leadership team. The company is also starting a search for a managing director to lead this London Market business, which will work closely with Lloyd’s and the wider market in London.
Tom Hillier’s role as CUO will cover all international operations. He will be in charge of underwriting strategies and governance, partnering with business leaders to push for profitable growth and strong relationships with brokers and managing general agents (MGAs). Hillier has more than 20 years of experience in insurance. Before his appointment, he served as managing director for specialty at Markel, a role he took after launching the Specialty practice within Markel’s International Wholesale division in 2023. Prior to joining Markel, Hillier worked at Brit Insurance as managing director of specialty.
The company said that the current roles of wholesale and national markets managing directors will be phased out. Henrik Bjørnstad, who currently leads the national markets division, will leave the company by the end of the year.
Andrew McMellin, president of Markel International, will oversee the five new regional businesses as well as Hillier’s CUO role. He described Hillier’s appointment as a vital move to ensure strong leadership and deepen partnerships with brokers and MGAs.
The restructuring is designed to simplify decision-making and give each regional business a clear path to grow and serve clients better. Markel hopes this approach will create more independence within each unit and allow strategies to be tailored to local markets. The company believes these changes will position it well for long-term success.
With these updates, Markel International is setting the stage for its next chapter of expansion and stronger client focus worldwide.