Markel, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc., has expanded its leadership team in Australia with the appointments of Ahmed Farag as Head of Casualty and Kym Beazleigh as Head of Professional and Financial Risk (PFR) and Head of Sydney.
Markel describes Farag as having a strong reputation in the Casualty market as a dynamic leader, with technical and strategic experience across a diverse range of industries.
He joins Markel from Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, where he led a team of underwriters as Casualty Portfolio Leader for Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Beazleigh joins Markel from Allied World, where he was Senior Vice President and Underwriting Head, Asia Pacific Professional Lines Division. Markel noted that Beazleigh brings exceptional leadership experience in professional lines and a proven track record driving regional business growth.
The firm has also appointed Arné Booysen as Senior Underwriter, Professional Indemnity, who will report to Kym Beazleigh and joins Markel from Allied World, where he served as Assistant Vice President and Underwriting Manager, Australian Professional Lines Division.
Markel said the commencement of Beazleigh and Booysen marks the opening of Markel’s Sydney office.
Rory Morison, Managing Director, Australia at Markel, commented, “The appointment of Ahmed and Kym to lead our Casualty and PFR practices is a clear and exciting signal to the Australian market that Markel intends to build a leading position over the long term.
“Opening the Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney offices concurrently was a deliberate move to ensure our people are as close as possible to policyholders, and their brokers.
“We will continue to thoughtfully and confidently grow our underwriting and claims teams, adding value for our partners and customers well into the future.
“We’re pleased to bring Markel’s compelling Financial lines and Casualty products to Australian brokers, many of whom are eager to work with a specialty insurer that empowers its underwriters to make decisions onshore, in real-time, based on the latest market developments.”
