Full-Time
Senior Hull and War Underwriter
Markel
1,001-5,000 employees
Diversified specialty insurer with tailored solutions
No salary listed
London, UK
Hybrid
Hybrid working is indicated; travel is required as needed.
 Finance & Banking (1) |
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- Demonstrable experience as a Hull and War underwriter within the London market.
- Exposure to portfolio management and performance monitoring.
- Strong analytical capability with the ability to interpret data, assess portfolio performance and find opportunities for optimisation.
- Proven ability to build and maintain effective broker and client relationships.
- A growth-oriented attitude, with the confidence to lead change and continuous improvement.
- A network of London and international distribution channels.
- Strong data literacy and ability to interpret portfolio and performance data.
- Ability to communicate confidently and influence brokers, peers and senior stakeholders.
- Underwrite Hull and War risks in line with the agreed underwriting strategy, authority levels and business plans, demonstrating strong underwriting rigor and judgement.
- Support the Head of Hull and War with strategy development, annual planning, portfolio oversight and senior-level presentations.
- Monitor, analyse and report on portfolio performance, key performance indicators and emerging areas of concern, providing regular insight and recommendations to the Head of Hull and War.
- Peer review underwriting decisions to support consistent decision-making, effective risk management and adherence to underwriting guidelines.
- Manage and support underwriting assistants, encouraging development, inclusive behaviours and a strong performance culture.
- Drive the successful adoption of new processes and actively lead change initiatives across the team.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with brokers, clients and coverholders, including oversight and effective management of coverholder relationships.
- Identify, develop and pursue new business opportunities across Hull and War in line with the agreed business plan.
- Support and deliver project work aligned to Hull and War and wider Marine and Energy objectives.
- Work collaboratively with the Head of Hull and War, the wider underwriting team, actuarial, finance, claims, IPA and other stakeholders to implement underwriting strategy and monitor progress.
- Champion continuous improvement by working with the team to enhance end-to-end processes, data quality and ways of working.
- Attend regular broker and client meetings and travel as required to represent Markel and strengthen market relationships.
- Apply appropriate underwriting and risk management practices, including authority, guideline and aggregation controls.
- Experience supporting or mentoring junior team members or assistants.
Markel provides insurance, reinsurance, and investment solutions for complex risks through its global network of specialty divisions. The company works by underwriting tailored coverage plans and using insurance-linked securities to transfer risk to capital markets for its clients. Markel distinguishes itself by operating under a specific set of values called the "Markel Style," which emphasizes long-term partnerships and a people-first approach over short-term gains. Its goal is to provide creative, reliable solutions for difficult risks while serving as a consistent partner for brokers and policyholders worldwide.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Glen Allen, Virginia
Founded
1930
Get referred to Markel
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- July 29, 2026 Q2 results showed a 93% combined ratio, a fourth straight low-90s quarter.
- Markel repurchased $237 million in Q2 2026, signaling strong cash generation.
- Excluding Global Re and Hagerty changes, underwriting gross written premiums grew 10% year-to-date.
What critics are saying
- $205 million State National reserve charge hit Q2 2026, Markel's first such loss in decades.
- Q2 2026 shares fell 5.8% after revenue missed estimates and investors punished the reserve charge.
- A prolonged equity drawdown can overwhelm underwriting and crush book value, as Q1 2026 showed.
What makes Markel unique
- Markel combines specialty underwriting with a public-equity portfolio and operating businesses.
- July 2026 Cortex, built with Bain, targets hard-to-place casualty risks using AI.
- June 2026 restructure pushed over 80% of central functions into business units.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Hybrid Work Options
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Company News
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Markel promotes Ben House to Director of Energy & Power. London, 15 January 2026 - Markel Insurance, the insurance operation within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE:MKL), today announced the promotion of Ben House to Director - Energy & Power, effective immediately. In his newly expanded role, House will oversee Markel's Renewable Energy and Power portfolio across the organisation's International division, alongside his existing responsibilities as head of Markel's Upstream, Midstream and Downstream Energy team. This strategic move unites these areas under a single Energy & Power team, enhancing ease of trading for customers through a more holistic underwriting approach. Leading this newly unified team, House will focus on managing an integrated group of experienced underwriters, analysts and risk engineers - driving product innovation, nurturing long-term customer relationships and optimising underwriting processes. The convergence of Markel's Energy teams reflects the organisation's commitment to supporting energy clients with tailored coverage and providing more effective identification, mitigation and transfer of risks throughout the entire value chain - from production and transportation through to processing, generation and distribution. House is based in London and will report to Rohan Davies, Managing Director - London Market. Davies commented: "The global power sector is experiencing significant growth, primarily driven by renewables and the rising electricity demand, which is expected to increase by 25% by 2030. Concurrently, heightened geopolitical risks - from trade wars to advanced cyber-attacks - threaten critical infrastructure, further underscores the important role of insurance in helping these businesses transfer and mitigate the associated risks. "Our clients' risks, capital structures and technologies are increasingly converging. Combining Energy and Power will allow us to underwrite portfolios more holistically, use our specialist expertise more efficiently and provide a simpler service, more coordinated experience for brokers and clients - all while better positioning us to support the energy transition across the value chain." He continued: "Ben's experience of delivering bespoke solutions for clients across the energy sector, together with his strong track record of leading global underwriting teams, makes him ideally suited for this consolidated role. His expertise will play an important part in helping to elevate our leadership profile across the renewable, traditional energy and power generation sectors." House said: "I'm delighted to step into my new position as Director of Energy & Power at Markel International. Bringing together our Energy and Power underwriters, analysts and risk engineers will further strengthen our technical underwriting capabilities, enhance innovation and enable us to make even more effective and empowered underwriting decisions - reaffirming clarity of coverage, particularly for complex risks." House started his career at Markel as an upstream underwriter in the Marine & Energy Division, progressing into new energy markets and providing lead capabilities across the upstream and midstream market. In 2018, he was promoted to Head of Upstream - a position he held for five years - before progressing to Director of Energy in 2023. In the latter position, House has played a leading role in developing bespoke energy insurance solutions for clients and building a strong-performing global P&L across multiple international underwriting teams. International press contacts. Director of Communications [email protected]
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