The appointment marks a strategic pivot for Markel, merging the Hull & Hull War, MECO, Marine & Energy Liabilities, and Transport & Logistics classes into a single division. Dan McCarthy, Managing Director of Marine, Energy & Construction, noted that the industry currently faces heightened volatility, ranging from escalating geopolitical tensions to frequent port thefts. By centralizing these capabilities, the firm intends to offer brokers more coordinated access to specialized underwriting expertise.

Smith, who joined Markel in 2024, brings over 17 years of experience in marine specialty lines. In his new capacity, he will report to McCarthy and collaborate closely with the company’s Claims and Actuarial teams to refine risk selection processes. This restructuring aims to provide clients with more agile, tailored solutions as global market exposures continue to evolve.