Markel Boosts Wholesale Claims With 3 Promotions, Technical Claims Hire

Markel made three internal promotions and hired a technical claims lead for its wholesale claims service for brokers, insureds and trading partners.

The appointments include Dan Thomas, who has joined as marine technical claims lead, where he’ll work as part of Markel’s marine liability claims team with the underwriters by providing feedback on policy wordings and claims insights for renewal and new business, while fostering relationships with broker partners.

Thomas’ industry experience spans more than two decades. Previously, he was head of marine claims at Helvetia Global Solutions U.K., where he was responsible for managing claims across the organization’s marine portfolio. Prior to that role, Thomas worked for QBE European Operations/British Marine as head of Technical Adjusting and Steamship Mutual P&I Club.

Markel has promoted Debbie Larkin to claims manager – energy, liability and terrorism. In this role, she’ll be responsible for the businesses’ upstream, midstream and downstream energy claims, along with claims written as part of Markel’s sustainable energy, conventional power and terrorism portfolios.

Larkin has been with Markel for nearly two years, spending that time managing all levels of claims within the organization’s energy, liability and terrorism business classes. Previously, she spent 15 years as a lawyer advising insurance carriers on coverage, defense and policy wordings.

Rachel Tighe was promoted to claims manager – professional Indemnity. In her new position, Tighe’s principal duties will include managing the PI wholesale claims team, ensuring closer broker interaction and supporting other members in her team with professional development.

Tighe joined Markel more than five years ago, starting at the business as a senior claims adjuster for Markel’s PI team, before progressing to assistant claims manager – PI. Prior to her arrival at Markel, Tighe worked as a claims solicitor at AmTrust Europe Ltd..

Natalie Myhill will assume the role of claims manager – financial institutions. Her primary objectives will involve managing the FI wholesale claims team by supporting them in resolving complex claims matters for FI and fintech clients. She will also carry on building relationships with Markel’s broker network and collaborate with the organization’s FI and fintech underwriting teams.

Myhill has 14 years of experience within the London and Lloyd’s markets. She joined Markel in 2020. Before joining the company, she was employed at Sompo International as an AV, senior claims examiner, where she specialized in the professional indemnity, D&O and FI classes of business.

Based at Markel’s London office, Tighe and Myhill will report to Jonathan Pestell, head of claims – specialty, and Larkin will report to Thomas Upton, head of claims – marine, energy and casualty at Markel.

Markel is the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc.