Markel Insurance has appointed Ray Lei (pictured) as Greater China product proposition lead, bringing in a former AXA executive to strengthen its insurance offerings and broker relationships across the region.
Lei joins after more than 13 years at AXA General Insurance Hong Kong, where she most recently served as head of reinsurance hub management for general insurance. Earlier in her career, she worked at HDI-Gerling Industrie Versicherung, now part of HDI Global.
In her new role, Lei will work with Markel’s regional teams to develop its product proposition, support brokers and clients, and contribute to the insurer’s growth plans in Greater China. Her appointment brings reinsurance experience to Markel’s product development efforts.
The move follows a series of investments in Markel’s Greater China operations, including the appointment of Chelsea Jiang as managing director in July 2025. Based in Hong Kong, Jiang oversees the insurer’s Hong Kong and Shanghai businesses, with responsibilities spanning regional strategy, product development and broker relationships.
Markel has also expanded its specialist underwriting capabilities in Hong Kong. In February 2026, the insurer appointed Johnny Zhang and Jon Tam to its professional and financial risks and cyber team.
Zhang’s responsibilities include management liability and product initiatives addressing artificial intelligence-related risks, while Tam focuses on commercial professional indemnity and the insurer’s expansion into North Asia.
These appointments provide an indication of the specialty insurance areas Markel has been looking to develop.
