Markel enters surety business with new execs from Aviva and Euler Hermes

Specialist insurer Markel International has launched a surety offering following its appointment of new executives from Aviva and Euler Hermes.

The company said it will initially focus on the UK, Ireland and Continental Europe and later expand to other regions outside North America.

Damian Manning, the head of the new team, most recently served as the London markets surety manager for Aviva, and immediately prior to that as surety manager for the UK and Ireland at Coface. He has previously worked as a broker at Aon Trade Credit and Aon Surety and Guarantee.

David Chandler, a senior underwriter, most recently worked as risk director for Euler Hermes UK. He has previously worked at an underwriter at GE Capital and Coface as credit risk underwriter.

Ewa Rose, managing director of the trade credit, political risk and surety business, said: "Damian and David are well known and highly respected underwriters in the London surety market. We very much look forward to them becoming part of the broader team.

"The addition of surety is a natural extension to our offering and provides a full range of complementary products across our portfolio. The new launch is in response to high broker and client demand and we look forward to providing much needed capacity to the market. It also increases our ability to design new and exciting products by combining the skillsets and experience across our underwriting team."

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