Markel Bolsters London Marine & Energy Liability Team with Seasoned Hires
Event summary
- Markel appointed Josephine Stroud as Head of Energy Liability and Jenny McFarlane as Senior Underwriter – Marine & Energy Liability in London on October 15, 2026.
- The hires follow the launch of Markel's new Marine Transportation business, consolidating Hull & Hull War, MECO, Marine & Energy Liabilities, and Transport & Logistics underwriting expertise.
- Stroud brings 18 years of experience in liability broking and underwriting, most recently from AXA XL, while McFarlane joins from Tokio Marine HCC International with 8 years of Marine & Energy Liability experience.
The big picture
Markel's strategic expansion of its Marine & Energy Liability team underscores the growing complexity of risks in the marine and energy sectors, driven by geopolitical instability and energy security challenges. The consolidation of underwriting expertise under the new Marine Transportation business aims to provide brokers with greater access to specialized solutions, positioning Markel to capitalize on market volatility. The hires reflect a broader industry trend of insurers investing in talent to navigate an increasingly uncertain risk landscape.
What we're watching
- Portfolio Growth
- Whether Stroud and McFarlane can drive profitable growth across Markel's Marine & Energy Liability portfolio amid heightened geopolitical volatility.
- Product Innovation
- The pace at which McFarlane develops new underwriting solutions to address evolving client risk exposures in the marine and energy sectors.
- Broker Engagement
- How effectively the new hires strengthen broker relationships and enhance Markel's client proposition in the London Market.