Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc., has announced the appointment of Jonathan Handen as Head of Trade Credit & Political Risk – Americas for its International operations.
In his new position, Handen will oversee the Trade Credit and Political Risk portfolio across the Americas, driving underwriting performance, strategic growth and portfolio development across priority focus areas.
He will spearhead regional growth initiatives in the US, Canada and Latin America, delivering structured, bespoke and multi-jurisdictional solutions to help clients navigate a rapidly evolving risk landscape.
This appointment reinforces Merkel’s ongoing expansion within the region. Operating within Markel International’s integrated global underwriting platform, Handen will partner with brokers and multinational clients to address complex credit and political risk challenges through specialised underwriting experience.
His appointment coincides with the retirement of the current Head of Trade Credit & Political Risks – Americas, Arjan van de Wall, who will operate in a part-time capacity until his departure from the business in January 2027.
Based in Baltimore, Handen will report directly to Phil Amlot, Head of Trade Credit at Markel International, who commented: “While we speak to the Americas as a single region, its risk landscape is anything but homogenous, covering a vast range of geographies, industries and political networks. Jon’s nuanced understanding of geopolitical volatility and the commercial pressures facing corporates and institutions will be crucial for our clients, brokers and trading partners as we position our team as a lead market for complex risks.
“With more than 25 years’ experience in the trade credit and political risk market, Jon comes equipped with deep specialist expertise and a proven track-record in delivering favourable outcomes against complex transactions, credit, country and regulatory risk. I’m delighted to welcome Jon to the team and I’m confident he’ll only continue the momentum behind our Americas trade credit & political risk strategy.
“I must also extend my great appreciation to Arjan van de Wall for his decade of committed service, during which time he’s been instrumental in investing in the strength, expertise and long-term development of the Trade Credit & Political Risk team. Working with Jon in a part-time capacity for the remainder of the year, Arjan will help ensure continuity of delivery until his retirement in January.”
Handen commented: “I’m delighted to be taking on this role at Markel International. Over the past 12 years, its Trade Credit & Political Risk business has built a reputation in the US market as reliable, technical and solutions-led. Its clear positioning for further growth across US, Canada and Latin America will only bring fresh opportunities to innovate, deepen relationships and drive further profitable growth for the global portfolio.
“I especially look forward to working in lockstep with Markel’s regional leadership across the UK & Europe, Middle East & North Africa and Asia to support cross-border transactions and multinational client needs. Trade credit and political risk are inherently global in scale, so our clients will benefit greatly from Markel’s culture of integrated knowledge-sharing across jurisdictions.”
Handen brings close to three decades of product and underwriting experience in the analysis and structuring of non-payment solutions for complex transactions. He previously spent nearly 20 years in various senior roles at Atradius Trade Credit Insurance, Inc., Prior to this, Handen served as Group Head of Commercial Underwriting at Allianz Trade.
