Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group, has appointed Rhys O’Neill as Senior Underwriter, Marine & Energy Liability, International Specialty, with immediate effect. He will be based in London and report to Grant Smith, Director of Marine & Energy Liability, International Specialty.
As a Senior Underwriter, O’Neill will be responsible for enhancing underwriting strategies for renewing and new business, maintaining, and strengthening strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners and internal teams.
Smith commented on the appointment, “In an increasingly risky and litigious world, the need for marine and energy companies to work with an insurance partner that’s able to help them identify, mitigate and transfer their liability exposures has never been higher.
“I’m therefore delighted to welcome Rhys to the Marine & Energy Liability team at Markel. I’m confident that his experience and strong industry network will significantly add to bench strength we already have in the team, enabling us to provide our clients and partners with the superior underwriting solutions and the support they need to mitigate and transfer their evolving risks.”
Most recently, O’Neill worked at QBE as a marine liability underwriter since October 2022, managing a diverse portfolio of risks across various marine liability lines.
Previously, he has held the role of an underwriter at The Standard Club from December 2013, writing predominantly European-based business and began his career in insurance with RGL Forensics in September 2012.
Tom Hillier, Managing Director, International Specialty, at Markel, added: “When we established the Specialty practice within our International Wholesale business last year, we set out an ambitious plan for our Marine & Energy Liability team that would see us further establish ourselves as a leader in the market.
“Investing in talent is an important part of our strategy and Rhys’s deep understanding of marine liability insurance and strong network will help us in achieving our goals.”
