REFILE-Exclusive: Markel names Schauss chief underwriting officer for US wholesale, specialty

By James Thaler

May 9 - (The Insurer) - Markel has named Mark Schauss chief underwriting officer for U.S. wholesale and specialty, reporting to the division’s new head Wendy Houser, in the latest development in the insurer’s restructure of its leadership ranks, a company spokesperson has confirmed.

The appointment is effective May 12. In the new role, Schauss will lead product development and innovation across U.S. Wholesale and Specialty while implementing underwriting strategies that drive profitability and growth.

"We are confident in Mark’s ability to leverage his extensive experience and knowledge working across our distribution channels to deliver meaningful products for our customers," the company said in a statement.

Schauss has been with Markel for nearly two decades, most recently serving as executive underwriting officer for small commercial since June 2023.

Last month Markel restructured its U.S. insurance leadership team, with chief wholesale officer Houser taking on oversight of U.S. wholesale and specialty, and Markel Specialty president Alex Martin shifting to become president of programs and solutions.

Markel eliminated its executive underwriting officer positions reporting to Robin Russo last month following Russo's departure. The elimination of the position led to the exits of professional liability executive Jim Proferes, cyber executive Kelly Castriotta and casualty executive Mia Finsness.

The company said it would look to redeploy those affected by the job eliminations elsewhere within the company. Jamie Mullarkey, who had been executive underwriting officer for property and first party coverages, has since been named chief risk officer for the U.S. and Bermuda.

Sal Pollaro and Jenn Devereaux remain in their roles as executive underwriting officers for professional liability and casualty, respectively.

The reshuffling of its insurance business management ranks also comes after Markel last month parted ways with insurance president Jeremy Noble, who spent 22 years with the company mostly in finance roles, including a four-plus year stint as chief financial officer.

Noble was replaced by Simon Wilson, who has been with the company for 15 years and had spent the last three and a half years as president of Markel International.

On the company’s results call last week Wilson said that Markel plans to “double down” on its commitment to the U.S. wholesale and specialty sector in response to what he said is a “structural shift” of business moving to the E&S channel.