Markel makes seven wholesale and specialty senior moves amid structural reshuffle

By Isha Marathe

June 16 - (The Insurer) - Markel has made further leadership changes to its wholesale and specialty division with seven new senior appointments and transitioned to a regional structure, moves the carrier said will support efforts to accelerate growth and strengthen relationships with partners and customers.

While the wholesale and specialty division previously comprised six wholesale and two retail units, it now consists of four integrated U.S. regions.

As part of the new structure, Brian Gray, regional president, will lead the West region's wholesale and retail business. Gray has been with Markel for 22 years and previously served as regional president for the West region for eight years.

Mimi Fiske, regional president, will lead the Central region. She has been with Markel for 11 years and prior to the new appointment served as regional president for the carrier's former Midwest region. In her new role, Fiske will have expanded geographic oversight and scope for wholesale and retail.

Sal Pollaro has been appointed regional president for the expanded Northeast region with scope for wholesale and retail. He has been with Markel for 16 years, most recently serving as executive underwriting officer, professional liability.

Hollis Zyglocke, regional president, will lead the Southeast region. She has been with Markel for seven years and served as regional president for the company's former mid-Atlantic region. In her new role, Zyglocke will have expanded geographic oversight and scope for wholesale and retail.

Matt Huels has been appointed chief growth officer, U.S. wholesale and specialty. He has been with Markel for 10 years, most recently serving as regional president, west retail region and will report to Wendy Houser in his new role.

Jim Hinchley has been appointed president, workers' compensation and small commercial package. Hinchley joined Markel in 2024 as chief retail officer and in his new role, he will report to Alex Martin, president, programs and solutions.

The last of the seven new appointments sees Scott Whitehead appointed executive underwriting officer, casualty. Whitehead has been with Markel for 26 years, serving in various underwriting leadership roles, most recently as senior managing director, Markel Insurtech. In his new role, Whitehead reports into Mark Schauss, chief underwriting officer for Markel's U.S. wholesale and specialty division.

These new appointments follow Markel in May appointed Schauss CUO for its U.S. wholesale and specialty business, reporting into division head Houser.

That move came after Markel in April restructured its U.S. insurance leadership team, with chief wholesale officer Houser taking on oversight of the wholesale and specialty business while Markel Specialty president Alex Martin was named president of programs and solutions.