Markel Insurance announces new leadership appointments within its US Wholesale and Specialty division

Rhea-AI Summary

Markel Insurance (NYSE: MKL) has announced a strategic reorganization of its US Wholesale and Specialty division, streamlining from eight regions to four integrated US regions (West, Central, Northeast, and Southeast). The restructuring aims to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen partnerships. Key leadership appointments include Brian Gray leading the West region, Mimi Fiske heading the Central region, Sal Pollaro managing the Northeast region, and Hollis Zyglocke directing the Southeast region. Additional appointments include Matt Huels as Chief Growth Officer, Jim Hinchley as President of Workers Compensation and Small Commercial Package, and Scott Whitehead as Executive Underwriting Officer, Casualty. The reorganization is designed to accelerate growth and improve service delivery to wholesale and retail partners.

Positive

• Streamlining from eight regions to four integrated regions should improve operational efficiency
• Strategic realignment focuses on better serving distribution channels
• Appointment of experienced internal leaders with significant tenure (ranging from 7-26 years) ensures continuity
• Simplified structure aims to accelerate growth and enhance market presence

Negative

• None.

RICHMOND, Va., June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), announced today new leadership appointments within its US Wholesale and Specialty division as part of a strategic regional realignment designed to better serve the distinct needs of its wholesale and retail distribution channels. Specifically, the company is simplifying its structure from six US wholesale and two US retail regions to four integrated US regions to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency and strengthen alignment with partners and customers.

"Simplicity wins in the specialty insurance business," said Wendy Houser, President, Wholesale and Specialty. "This simplified structure will accelerate growth by streamlining our ability to provide market-leading insurance solutions to our wholesale and retail partners and customers."

As part of the new structure, the following appointments have been made to lead the four U.S. regions: West, Central, Northeast and Southeast.

• Brian Gray, Regional President, will lead the West region with expanded oversight. Brian has been with Markel for 22 years and served as Regional President for the West region for eight years. In this expanded role, he will have oversight of the wholesale and retail business across the West region.
• Mimi Fiske, Regional President, will lead the Central region. She has been with Markel for 11 years and served as Regional President for Markel'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 Markel's former Mid-Atlantic region. In her new role, Zyglocke will have expanded geographic oversight and scope for wholesale and retail.

Three additional appointments have been made: Matt Huels has been appointed Chief Growth Officer, US Wholesale and Specialty; Jim Hinchley has been appointed President, Workers Compensation and Small Commercial Package; and Scott Whitehead has been appointed Executive Underwriting Officer, Casualty. Huels 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. Hinchley joined Markel in 2024 as Chief Retail Officer and in his new role, he will report to Alex Martin, President, Programs and Solutions. Whitehead has been with Markel for 26 years serving in various underwriting leadership roles, most recently as Senior Managing Director, Markel Insurtech and will report to Mark Schauss, Chief Underwriting Officer in his new role.

"Brian, Hollis, Matt, Mimi, Sal, Scott and Jim are proven leaders at Markel," said Houser. "They inspire their teams and have the knowledge, expertise and relationships that we need to serve our customers and profitably grow our business. These changes will strengthen and empower the leadership of our core US insurance business and propel us on our journey to be a market leader."

About Markel
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.

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SOURCE Markel

FAQ

What changes did Markel Insurance (MKL) announce in its US Wholesale and Specialty division?

Markel Insurance announced a reorganization from eight regions to four integrated US regions (West, Central, Northeast, and Southeast), along with several key leadership appointments to enhance operational efficiency and growth.

Who are the new regional presidents appointed at Markel Insurance?

The new regional presidents are Brian Gray (West), Mimi Fiske (Central), Sal Pollaro (Northeast), and Hollis Zyglocke (Southeast).

What is the purpose of Markel's (MKL) regional realignment?

The realignment aims to simplify structure, accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen alignment with partners and customers in both wholesale and retail distribution channels.

Who was appointed as Chief Growth Officer for Markel's US Wholesale and Specialty division?

Matt Huels, who has been with Markel for 10 years, was appointed as Chief Growth Officer for US Wholesale and Specialty, reporting to Wendy Houser.

How many regions will Markel Insurance now operate in the US?

Markel Insurance will now operate in four integrated US regions: West, Central, Northeast, and Southeast, simplified from the previous structure of six wholesale and two retail regions.