Markel brings senior underwriter from QBE to grow liability lines

Markel International, a subsidiary of Markel Corporation, has hired a senior underwriter from QBE for its transport and logistics class of business to further expand its liability lines.

Karen Bysouth (Pictured) joins as senior underwriter for transport and logistics (T&L), which covers professional indemnity, ports and terminals, UK marine, marine trades, and cargo liability, and writes up to $70 million for liability and $25 million for property/physical damage.

Bysouth brings more than 16 years of experience in insurance to her new position. Before joining Markel, she worked at QBE, where she held the role of ports and terminals underwriter for over eight years.

Bysouth will join Markel’s T&L underwriting team, working alongside Ali Welchman, underwriter of transport and logistics at Markel International, where she will concentrate on growing the UK marine, marine trades, and ports and terminals portfolios.

Based at Markel’s London office, Bysouth will report to Holley Higgins, head of transport and logistics at Markel International.

In January, Markel’s liability lines were split into two specialist teams – marine and energy liability (M&E), and transport and logistics, under Andrew Carter, head of liability at Markel International, to support ongoing growth and investment within the organisation’s liability portfolio.

“We are delighted to welcome Karen to the transport and logistics team,” said Higgins. “With her depth of knowledge, she will be instrumental in strengthening broker relationships and our position in the T&L market.”

Carter commented: “Markel’s liability team has achieved significant growth in gross written premium (GWP) and expertise, as well as an increased leadership profile over the last five years.”

He added: “As we continue the build out of our transport and logistics team, we are confident that Karen will drive profitable growth and provide that high level of service and cover, which is valued by our brokers.”

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