Markel Insurance, the insurance arm of Markel Group, has opened a Perth office, strengthening its presence in Western Australia. The expansion builds on growth across Markel’s existing Australian operations and includes the appointment of two Perth-based senior underwriters, Jerome Steyn (pictured left) and Pierre Dagnee (pictured right). Reporting to Kym Beazleigh, head of professional and financial risks (PFR), both bring experience across PFR product lines as well as specialist knowledge of the mining and resources sector.

In a media release, Markel said the new office forms part of its strategy to build a stronger local footprint nationwide, giving underwriters the authority to serve domestic clients with on-the-ground expertise. The insurer said Steyn and Dagnee’s market experience and industry connections would help support WA businesses more closely.

“We’re investing in underwriters who truly understand their market and products while giving them the mandate to build a business locally,” said Rory Morison, managing director of Australia at Markel.

He said Markel now has a total of nine specialist PFR underwriters across four locations to support clients and brokers throughout Australia.

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Beazleigh described Steyn and Dagnee as “highly capable insurance professionals who understand our empowerment philosophy and have the judgement and autonomy to make decisions close to the market.”

He said these “strategic hires”, with their PFR experience and deep mining and resources expertise, strengthen the firm’s ability to support brokers and clients in WA.