Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc., has appointed Josephine Stroud as Head of Energy Liability and Jenny McFarlane as Senior Underwriter for Marine & Energy Liability.
The pair will be based in London and report to the Marine & Energy Liability team, part of the Marine Transportation business, led by Grant Smith.
The two key appointments aim to strengthen Markel’s London Market underwriting team and follow the establishment of Markel’s new Marine Transportation business within its London Market operations.
The new team brings together Hull & Hull War, MECO, Marine & Energy Liabilities (M&E), and Transport & Logistics, giving brokers greater access to underwriting expertise across these portfolios.
In her new role, Stroud will underwrite multi-line, cross-class facilities, working alongside Rhys O’Neill, Head of Marine Liability, to drive further profitable growth across the Marine & Energy Liability portfolio.
She will also oversee risk assessments and help develop risk mitigation strategies, working closely with brokers, distribution partners, and stakeholders to continue delivering effective underwriting solutions.
Stroud has over 18 years’ experience in liability broking and underwriting. She has worked at Willis Towers Watson and, most recently, AXA XL, where she was responsible for underwriting, risk assessment and pricing for clients operating across the oil and gas sector and the energy transition.
Meanwhile, McFarlane’s remit includes supporting the strategic development and continued evolution of the Marine & Energy Liability product offering. She will help develop new wordings, drive broker engagement, and identify growth opportunities, while maintaining underwriting discipline and delivering high service levels.
McFarlane joins from Tokio Marine HCC International, bringing more than eight years’ experience in Marine & Energy Liability.
Smith commented on the appointments, “I’m delighted to welcome Josephine and Jenny to our growing Marine & Energy Liability team. They bring strong expertise and enthusiasm for portfolio management, underwriting, data analysis, claims service and client relationship management.
“Our Marine Transportation business was built on the technical expertise and precision that Josephine and Jenny bring to their new roles. With their appointments, our Marine & Energy Liability operation is well positioned to continue supporting clients as they navigate an increasingly complex and volatile risk landscape.”
Stroud said, “The marine and energy industries continue to face uncertainty, driven by heightened geopolitical volatility, energy security challenges and disruption to global shipping routes. Against this backdrop, clients need tailored, innovative solutions backed by specialist underwriting expertise.
“I look forward to working closely with our underwriting team and brokers to continue delivering consistently high levels of service and prioritise our clients’ needs, especially during times of geopolitical instability.”
McFarlane added, “I’m thrilled to be taking on my new role as Senior Underwriter in Markel’s Marine & Energy Liability team. I look forward to driving innovation across our product offering, strengthening broker relationships and enhancing Markel’s client proposition to ensure we continue to meet the evolving needs of our clients and the wider market.”
