Colin Wildey appointed Chief Risk Officer, International

Rhea-AI Summary

Markel Insurance (NYSE: MKL) appointed Colin Wildey as Chief Risk Officer, Markel International, subject to regulatory approval, effective Feb. 17, 2026. Wildey has been Head of Risk since 2022 and brings more than ten years of senior risk experience across the London Market and international insurance markets. He will be based in London and report to Henry Gardener, who was appointed Chief Risk Officer of Markel Insurance in 2025.

The role will focus on enhancing risk-informed decision-making and embedding risk thinking across underwriting, capital, actuarial, compliance and operations.

Positive

• Internal promotion: Head of Risk → Chief Risk Officer (continuity of leadership)
• Experience: More than ten years senior risk experience across multiple markets
• Risk framework: Central role advancing Markel International risk management since 2022
• Cross-functional ties: Established relationships with underwriting, capital, actuarial, compliance, operations

Negative

• Regulatory approval required, creating timing and execution uncertainty
• Concentration risk: Reporting line dependent on Henry Gardener, appointed 2025

Market Reality Check

Price: $2061.88 Vol: Volume 48,682 is at 0.94x...

normal vol

$2061.88 Last Close

Volume Volume 48,682 is at 0.94x the 20-day average of 51,757 shares. normal

Technical Trading above 200-day MA at 1990.65, with price at 2061.88 pre-announcement.

Peers on Argus

MKL was down 0.94% pre-news. Peers were mixed: CINF -0.62%, WRB -1.76%, L -0.78%...

MKL was down 0.94% pre-news. Peers were mixed: CINF -0.62%, WRB -1.76%, L -0.78%, CNA -0.16%, while HIG gained 0.16%, suggesting stock-specific rather than broad sector momentum.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 10 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 10	Leadership appointment	Neutral	+1.3%	Appointed Phil Amlot as Head of Trade Credit, International.
Feb 04	Earnings results	Positive	+0.8%	Reported 2025 revenue and income growth with improved combined ratio.
Jan 30	Earnings call setup	Neutral	-0.3%	Announced date and access details for 2025 results conference call.
Jan 12	Leadership appointment	Neutral	-1.0%	Appointed Chief Risk Officer for US & Bermuda operations.
Nov 20	Strategic partnership	Positive	-0.0%	Announced collaboration on environmental casualty insurance solutions.

Pattern Detected

Recent news has been dominated by management appointments and strategic/financial updates, with mostly modest price moves and a mix of alignment and divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Markel’s news flow included leadership appointments and strategic initiatives alongside its 2025 financial results. Recent items featured a new Head of Trade Credit International, a Chief Risk Officer for US & Bermuda, and a collaboration on environmental casualty solutions, plus the 2025 earnings release and related conference call. Today’s international Chief Risk Officer appointment fits this ongoing focus on strengthening risk leadership and organizational capabilities.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Markel Insurance’s continued build-out of its risk leadership, promotin...

Analysis

This announcement highlights Markel Insurance’s continued build-out of its risk leadership, promoting an experienced internal candidate to Chief Risk Officer for Markel International. It follows other recent risk-focused appointments and sits alongside solid 2025 financial results, indicating an emphasis on disciplined growth and governance. Investors may watch how the expanded risk function influences underwriting discipline, capital decisions and resilience across international operations over time.

Key Terms

fca

1 terms

fca regulatory

"He has extensive experience working with regulators including the PRA, FCA, BMA and CBI."

The FCA is the United Kingdom's financial regulator that oversees banks, brokerages, investment firms and markets to make sure they act fairly, transparently and safely. For investors it matters because the FCA sets rules, enforces protections and can impose penalties or bans that influence market behavior and company reputations—think of it as a referee whose decisions can affect the value and trustworthiness of financial products and firms.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

LONDON, Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), today announced that Colin Wildey has been promoted to Chief Risk Officer for Markel International, subject to regulatory approval.

Wildey has been Head of Risk for Markel International since 2022, where he has played a central role in advancing the organisation's Risk Management framework and helping the business navigate through a period of sustained, profitable growth. In his new role, he will focus on further enhancing how risk informs decision-making across the business, aligned with the organisation's strategic ambition to put Markel 'on the map'.

Based in London, Wildey will report to Henry Gardener, who was appointed Chief Risk Officer of Markel Insurance in 2025.

Wildey brings more than ten years of senior risk management experience across the London Market and international insurance sector. Prior to joining Markel, he was UK Chief Risk Officer and Group Head of Risk & Capital at Fidelis Insurance, responsible for the Group Risk Framework across multiple entities. Earlier in his career, he held roles in risk management, consulting and underwriting at various organisations writing business in the UK, Ireland, Bermuda, Australia and New Zealand. He has extensive experience working with regulators including the PRA, FCA, BMA and CBI.

Henry Gardener, Chief Risk Officer, Markel Insurance, said: "The Risk team at Markel International plays a critical role in strengthening resilience throughout the business, working in partnership with employees across the business to support clarity of purpose, ownership of risk and strategic alignment. By combining analytical expertise with practical insight, we help Markel meet its commitments to policyholders, regulators, shareholders and partners.

"I'm delighted to see Colin step into this new role. He has made a significant contribution to improving how risk is understood and managed across Markel International. He combines strong technical expertise with a collaborative, pragmatic approach and has built trusted relationships across underwriting, capital, actuarial, compliance and operations."

Colin Wildey, Chief Risk Officer, Markel International, said: "Effective risk management is about helping the business take considered risks with confidence. I'm incredibly pleased about the progress we've made in embedding risk thinking more broadly across Markel International in recent years, and I'm looking forward to continuing to support leaders and underwriters as we navigate an increasingly complex risk environment."

About Markel Insurance
We are Markel Insurance, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we leverage a broad array of capabilities and expertise to create intelligent solutions for the most complex specialty insurance needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colin-wildey-appointed-chief-risk-officer-international-302688849.html

SOURCE Markel

FAQ

Who is Colin Wildey and what role did Markel (MKL) announce on Feb. 17, 2026?

Colin Wildey was promoted to Chief Risk Officer, Markel International, subject to regulatory approval. According to the company, Wildey has led Risk for Markel International since 2022 and will be based in London reporting to Henry Gardener.

When does Colin Wildey's promotion to CRO at Markel (MKL) become effective and are there conditions?

The appointment was announced Feb. 17, 2026 and is subject to regulatory approval. According to the company, the promotion awaits regulator sign-off before being finalized.

What experience does Colin Wildey bring to the Markel (MKL) CRO role?

Wildey brings more than ten years of senior risk management experience across the London Market and international insurance. According to the company, he previously held senior risk roles at Fidelis and worked across multiple jurisdictions.

How will Colin Wildey's appointment affect Markel International's risk management?

The appointment aims to enhance risk-informed decision-making across the business. According to the company, Wildey will focus on embedding risk thinking with underwriters, capital, actuarial, compliance and operations.

To whom will Colin Wildey report after becoming CRO at Markel (MKL)?

Wildey will report to Henry Gardener, Chief Risk Officer, Markel Insurance. According to the company, Gardener was appointed Chief Risk Officer of Markel Insurance in 2025 and will be Wildey's reporting line.