Markel Australia has expanded its leadership team by appointing Ahmed Farag as head of casualty and Kym Beazleigh as head of professional and financial risk (PFR) and head of Sydney.
Melbourne-based Farag joined Markel from Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, where he led a team of underwriters as casualty portfolio leader for Australia and New Zealand. He is well known in the casualty market as a dynamic leader, with technical and strategic experience across a diverse range of industries.
Beazleigh joined Markel from Allied World, where he was senior vice president and underwriting head of the Asia Pacific professional lines division. In his new dual roles of head of PFR and head of Sydney, Beazleigh will bring leadership experience in professional lines and a proven track record driving regional business growth.
The appointment of Beazleigh marks the opening of Markel's Sydney office.
Markel Australia managing director Rory Morison commented: “The appointment of Ahmed and Kym to lead our casualty and PFR practices is a clear and exciting signal to the Australian market that Markel intends to build a leading position over the long term,” said Rory Morrison, Markel Australia managing director. “Opening the Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney offices concurrently was a deliberate move to ensure our people are as close as possible to policyholders and their brokers.”
Markel has appointed Arné Booysen as senior underwriter for professional indemnity, reporting to Beazleigh. He joined Markel from Allied World, where he was assistant vice president and underwriting manager for the Australian professional lines division. Last month, the company appointed a new head of Queensland.
Markel will further expand in Australia by establishing a strong onshore presence with a highly experienced and empowered underwriting team. The offering will initially include casualty, professional indemnity, and directors and officers products, with other lines to follow as the group continues to build its local presence.
“We will continue to thoughtfully and confidently grow our underwriting and claims teams, adding value for our partners and customers well into the future. We're pleased to bring Markel's compelling financial lines and casualty products to Australian brokers, many of whom are eager to work with a specialty insurer that empowers its underwriters to make decisions onshore, in real time, based on the latest market developments,” Morison said.
