Experienced underwriter joins Markel’s International Specialty team, bolstering its leadership in marine and energy liability.
Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. today announced the appointment of Rhys O’Neill as Senior Underwriter for Marine & Energy Liability within its International Specialty division. The appointment is effective immediately and marks a significant step in Markel’s strategy to reinforce its leadership position in this sector.
O’Neill will be based in London and will report directly to Grant Smith, Director of Marine & Energy Liability, International Specialty. In this new role, he will focus on enhancing best-in-class underwriting strategies for both renewals and new business, with a specific emphasis on Markel’s Marine & Energy Liability International Wholesale portfolio. O’Neill will also be responsible for maintaining and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, and internal teams, to ensure that Markel continues to deliver cutting-edge insurance solutions.
Strengthening Markel’s Marine & Energy Liability Offering
The appointment comes at a time when the need for reliable insurance partners in the marine and energy sectors is critical. The sectors face increasingly complex risks, ranging from environmental hazards to regulatory challenges and operational liabilities. In light of these developments, Rhys O’Neill’s appointment is seen as a key move to bolster the company’s underwriting capabilities.
Grant Smith, who recently joined Markel as Director of Marine & Energy Liability, International Specialty, expressed his confidence in O’Neill’s abilities:
“In today’s complex and ever-evolving risk landscape, marine and energy companies require an insurance partner that can effectively help them identify, manage, and transfer their liability risks. We are excited to welcome Rhys to the Marine & Energy Liability team at Markel. His wealth of experience and robust network within the industry will enhance the capabilities of our existing team, enabling us to deliver superior underwriting solutions and provide the support our clients and partners need to navigate these challenges.”
A Key Part of Markel’s Ambitious Growth Strategy
Tom Hillier, Managing Director of International Specialty at Markel, added:
When we launched the Specialty practice within our International Wholesale division last year, we laid out an ambitious strategy for the Marine & Energy Liability team. We aimed to position ourselves as a leader in the market, and investing in talent is an important part of that strategy. Rhys’s deep understanding of marine liability insurance and strong industry network will help us achieve our goals and enhance the value we provide to our clients.”
O’Neill Brings Decades of Industry Expertise
Rhys O’Neill joins Markel with extensive experience in marine liability insurance. Prior to this role, he worked at QBE, where he served as a Marine Liability Underwriter, managing a diverse portfolio of risks across various marine liability lines. His role at QBE saw him responsible for underwriting complex risks and building strong client relationships. O’Neill also spent part of his career at The Standard Club, where he served as an underwriter, specialising in European markets. His career began at RGL Forensics, where he gained critical industry insight into liability and risk management.
O’Neill’s extensive knowledge of marine liability insurance, combined with his hands-on experience working with clients in the marine and energy sectors, will be invaluable in his new role at Markel. His ability to manage complex risks and his proven track record of delivering innovative insurance solutions will support Markel’s continued growth and expansion in the International Specialty sector.
A Growing Focus on Talent and Leadership
Markel’s appointment of O’Neill is part of a wider strategy to invest in top-tier talent, particularly within the Marine & Energy Liability team. This focus on talent acquisition is aimed at reinforcing Markel’s ability to provide the highest standard of underwriting excellence and to offer customised solutions that address the evolving needs of clients.
As Markel continues to grow its presence within the International Wholesale sector, the company remains committed to delivering best-in-class solutions to its partners and clients, supported by a team of highly skilled professionals like Rhys O’Neill.
